Independence pitchers Jayden Watkins and Landyn Lindsey started their weekend with a bang.
Watkins, a senior, tossed 13 strikeouts in a 15-0 victory against North Panola last Thursday. Lindsey, a junior, tossed eight strikeouts and a no-hitter during the Wildcats’ 12-0 victory against North Panola last Friday, as the Wildcats swept their Region 2-3A foes.
In the Thursday triumph, Independence started off with a pair of runs in the top half of the first and five more in the second to build a sizable 7-0 advantage. All the while, Watkins was dealing on the mound, tossing seven straight strikeouts before finally allowing a walk, his only one of the game.
Watkins helped IHS get on the board in the first inning with an RBI-single, followed by a single from Miller Owens. Back-to-back doubles from Bryson Davis and Freeman helped Independence make it a 4-0 lead in the second, and RBI-singles from Watkins and Owens made it a 7-0 lead.
Independence plated three more runs in the top half of the third inning, highlighted by a triple from Watkins. The Wildcats would add five more in the fifth inning, sealing the 15-0 run-rule victory.
IHS knocked around 18 hits in the victory, led by four apiece from Freeman and Watkins.
In the Friday contest, Independence rebounded from a scoreless first inning to tack on seven runs in the second inning and five more in the third. All the while, Lindsey was dealing on the mound, shaking off a pair of early walks to issue two strikeouts in the first inning and two more in the second, keeping North Panola off the scoreboard.
At the plate, the Wildcats were sparked by a walk to Von Pegues with two outs and a single from Brigham Pierce in the bottom of the second. That got the bats going for IHS, as another walk loaded the bases and paved the way for an RBI-single from Freeman and a two-run double from Watkins.
Owens then singled to score Watkins, giving the Wildcats the 5-0 lead. A bases loaded walk brought in another Independence run and a Dallas Stepp single plated one more for the Wildcats, stretching the lead to 7-0.
After Lindsey shut down the Cougars in the top of the third, Independence tacked on five more in the bottom of the third for a 12-0 Wildcat lead. North Panola was unable to rally in the top of the fourth, as Lindsey sealed the run-rule victory for IHS.
Independence finished with eight hits in the win, led by two apiece from Braylon Davis. The remainder of the Wildcats’ hits were scattered across the lineup.
With the sweep, Independence improved to 9-8 on the season and 2-0 in Region 2-3A. The Wildcats will turn their attention to Holly Springs this week, hosting the Hawks on Tuesday, March 29 at 7 p.m. before traveling to Holly Springs on Friday, April 1.
