FROM STAFF REPORTS

The Thompson High School baseball team split a doubleheader with Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa in high school baseball action March 1.

The Warriors (4-4) defeated Hillcrest 10-0 in their 2011 home opener.

Gus Williford led Thompson at the plate as he finished 2-for-4 with a triple, four RBIs and a run scored.

Mason Morris improved to 2-0 on the mound this season after giving up only two hits with two strikeouts and two walks in a five-inning complete game.

In the first inning, Matt Haskins led the game off with a walk before Skylar Estell moved him to second base with a sacrifice bunt. Gus Williford drove Haskins home on a single to left field.

In the second inning, catcher Chad Collum led off with a single to left field. Matt Haskins walked and courtesy runner Alex Carter advanced to second base. Estell advanced the runners to second and third with a fly ball. Carter and Haskins scored when the Hillcrest second baseman booted a ball hit by Williford, which gave the Warriors a 3-0 lead.

The Warriors finished off the Patriots with a seven runs in the top of the fifth.

Jake Hester got on base via an error by the Hillcrest third baseman and Aron McRee came in as the pinch runner. Jon Keller smashed a triple to center field, scoring McRee. Adam McKenzie then drove in Keller with a single to left.

Collum put down a sacrifice bunt to advance McKenzie to second. Conner Gill walked and Haskins drove a double to center field, scoring McKenzie and Gill. Estell walked and Williford slammed a triple to center field that scored Haskins and Estell to push the Warriors lead to 9-0. Pinch-hitter Garrett Walters came to the plate and drove home Williford with a sacrifice fly to left field for the final run.

Thompson fell to Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa 6-5 in the nightcap.

Matt Haskins led the Warriors at the plate as he finished 2-for-4 with a triple and two runs scored.

Taylor Bria went 1-for-4 with a triple, an RBI and a run scored. Williford, Alex Henderson, Michael Schofield and Blake Gruber drove in a run each for the Warriors.

Trent Harper started on the mound and gave up five runs, including three earned runs, on five hits with five strikeouts and a walk in 3 2/3 innings. Jake Hester took the loss in relief after giving up one earned run on one hit with four strikeouts and three walks in 3 1/3 innings.