HUNTINGTON -- Spectators at the baseball game at Cook-Holbrook Field on Tuesday might've thought the public address announcer at the track and field meet next door at Bob Sang Stadium was talking about the 110-meter relay.
There is no such event in track, but that's how far it is around the bases, and for a while Spring Valley appeared to be running that race. The Timberwolves (16-5) sent 12 batters to the plate in the first inning and eight scored to begin an 11-2 triumph over Huntington High.
"Putting up an eight-spot in the first inning, our guys came out with some energy," Spring Valley coach Austin Pratt said. "I wish we could've continued that, but that's baseball. You can't expect to score eight every inning."
The first inning was unusual in a game filled with oddities. Leadoff hitter Brody Spencer doubled twice, scored once on the first of three Caleb Nicely wild pitches, and drove in two runs in the inning. Garrett Wagoner was hit by a pitch, as were four other Timberwolves on the night, including one in each of the first four innings. Four Spring Valley batters walked. Two scored on a double by Spencer and two on a single by Jack Shumaker.
The Timberwolves won despite making four errors. The Highlanders hurt their own cause by having three runners picked off on the base paths, two at second by pitcher Dylan Robertson and one at first by catcher Cam Perdue.
"That was a 5-2 game," Huntington High coach John Dennison said after the Highlanders fell to 7-12. "We continue to beat ourselves. We cannot win ball games by making errors. That first inning cost us six runs and 43 pitches. When that happens, you've dug a hole you can't get out of."
Robertson threw a complete game, allowing six hits, striking out six and walking three.
"Dylan has been a great arm for us this year," Pratt said. "He throws strikes, keeps (opponents) off-balance, keeps his composure. He did what a senior's supposed to do."
The teams traded runs in the third inning to make it 9-1. Huntington High struck for one run in the fifth and Spring Valley for two in the sixth.
Spencer finished 3 for 4 with a walk. Wagoner was 2 for 4 with a triple and two runs batted in. Jake Van Arsdale singled, walked twice and was hit by a pitch.
The Timberwolves are at home at 7 p.m. Wednesday against Capital. The Highlanders visit Cabell Midland at 7 p.m. Thursday.
SPRING VALLEY 801 002 0 -- 11 9 4
HUNTINGTON HIGH 001 010 0 -- 2 5 0
Robertson and Perdue; Nicely, Johnson (1), Mayo (6) and Goodwin.
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