Diamond Tigers win at Plato

In the final regular season game of 2024, the Houston High School baseball team won Thursday at Plato, 7-3.

The Tigers took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning, then added 2 more runs in the fourth, but the host Eagles held on with 2 runs in the fourth inning and another in the sixth.

But Houston rallied for 3 big runs in the seventh inning, loading the bases on a few walks and a batter, then scoring once on a sacrifice fly from senior Aiden Kelly before taking 4 runs on a 2-run double from the senior. Wyatt Hughes.

The Tigers had 11 hits in the contest and received 10 extra base runners via 7 walks and 3 hit batters.

Senior Stone Jackson had another 3-hit outing for the Tigers, going 3-for-5 with a run. Three other seniors had multi-hit games for Houston, while Hughes went 2 for 4 with a walk and 4 RBIs, Kelly went 2 for 3 with a walk, an RBI and 2 runs , and Gage Yardley had 2 singles in 4 at-bats.

Hughes started on the mound for the Tigers and worked 4 full innings, allowing 3 hits and 2 earned runs while striking out 9 and walking 2. Jackson pitched the final 3 innings, allowing 2 hits and no earned point while fanning 5 and walking none.

Weather permitting, the Tigers (12-8) are scheduled to play a Class 3 District 10 tournament semifinal game Monday at Tiger Field.

Houston enters the 5-team tournament as the top seed and the only team with a record above .500.

The event begins Saturday with fourth-seeded Seymour taking on No. 5 Liberty, with the winner facing Houston.

No. 2 Willow Springs and No. 3 Thayer will face off in the other semifinal.