HOOVER – Spain Park’s baseball team bounced back from an opening loss to Helena on Wednesday, March 29, to even its record to 1-1 on the opening day of the Buccaneer Classic tournament at Hoover High School.

The Jaguars fell to Helena, 10-3, and then defeated Hartselle, 12-5.

Helena pounded out nine hits in the tournament opener, and Spain Park could not get anything going against Huskies starting pitcher Riley Davis until the game was all but in hand.

HHS took a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning on a home run by Sam Praytor and a single by Troy Cordrey.

In the bottom of the third inning, James Davis started things off for Helena with an infield base hit, which was followed by a hit from Praytor and a walk to William Brophy.

After a strikeout for the first out of the inning, Cordrey singled to drive in two runs and Nicholas Ragsdale homered on a line drive to left field, and the Huskies had a commanding 8-0 lead.

Spain Park finally scratched a run across in the top of the fifth.

William Mee took a walk with one out, advanced on a single by Peyton Sanderson and a fielder’s choice, and then scored on a single by Jacob Rich.

Helena made the score 10-1 in the bottom of the fifth inning, and the Jaguars added two more runs in the seventh inning.

Jacob Dickinson took a leadoff walk, advanced on a single by Davis Holley and an error and scored along with Holley on a hit by Luke Blackmon that chased HHS pitcher Davis.

Brett Walton recorded the last out of the game.

Davis allowed three runs, two of which were earned, on five hits and five walks in 6 2/3 innings while striking out four.

Spain Park’s Hunter Howell suffered the loss, allowing eight runs in 2 1/3 innings.

Dylan Best went 2 2/3 innings, giving up two runs on two hits and one walk.

Carson Milling pitched one scoreless inning.

Davis, Praytor, Cordrey and Ragsdale all had multiple-hit days for the Huskies.

Cordrey and Ragsdale each had three RBI and scored two runs.

SPHS gets bats going in Game 2

Against Hartselle, the Jaguars plated four runs in the third inning and six runs in the fifth for a comfortable win.

Every Jag in the starting lineup had at least one hit, and Will Battersby had two, including a triple and a walk, producing two runs scored and four RBI.

Jacob Rich drove in two runs, and Lane Willis scored two runs.

Jarrod Kennington started the game on the mound for Spain Park, allowing two runs on five hits and three walks in 3 2/3 innings.

Sam Dozier, Trae Stacey and Cooper White all appeared in relief.

SPHS continues play on Thursday, March 30, taking on Calera at 2 p.m. on the Hoover varsity Field 2.

On Friday, March 31, the Jags play Pell City at 11:30 a.m. on Field 1 then Austin at 4:30 p.m. at the Hoover Met.

The first three days of the tournament will determine seeding for a single-elimination tournament on Saturday, April 1, with games scheduled for start times from 9 a.m. through 4:30 p.m. at Field 1, Field 2 and the Hoover Met.