LASKER – Halifax Academy scored seven runs at the top of the third inning as the varsity Eagles of Northeast Academy fell to the Vikings, 16-4.

Northeast got an early out in the first after Josh Jenkins fielded Brent Caudle’s hit to third and connected with Don Jerningan at first.

Nick Short doubled to left field and was driven home on a home run by Michael Butts.

Clean-up hitter Jeremy Wells singled to left field then advanced to third on an Eagle error.

Charlie Sieber’s double to center field brought Wells home.

Sieber crossed home plate to give Halifax a 4-0 lead.

Jenkins received an assist as Jernigan tagged the final runner out, giving Northeast a chance at bat.

Lead-off hitter Cole Vinson hit a single to right field and advanced to third.

He was left on base as the next three Eagles hitters were out.

Northeast got two quick outs as John Pope and Jeremy Parker fielded fly balls.

Short stepped up to the plate and hit Vinson’s first pitch over the fence to give Halifax a 5-1 advantage. Parker fielded Sieber’s hit to left field as the Vikings left the bases loaded.

Jay Baugham walked to first then stole second. He advanced to third on Jernigan’s sacrifice fly to center field. James Sykes ripped a double down the center, bringing home Baugham for the Eagles score.

Northeast switched pitchers at the top of the third and would substitute the position again before the inning ended.

Halifax batted through their order as seven players crossed home plate.

“I didn’t want to wear anyone out because we have a double header tomorrow (Friday) against Bethel,” said Eagles head coach Billy Bridgers.

“We have another game against Lawrence on Monday so that’s five games in four days. That’s a heck of a way to start the season.”

Trailing 12-1 at the bottom of the third center fielder Hunter Deloatch singled.

After stealing second he advanced to third and came home on a Jay Duncan single.

Both teams were held scoreless in the fourth, but Halifax scored their first four runners in the fifth. With their fourth pitcher in the game Northeast walked the first two batters.

An Eagles error brought home two runs and left Brent Caudle on third.

Caudle came home on a sacrifice fly by Butts as the Vikings took a 16-2 lead.

Vinson walked to first and stole second.

He came home on a Halifax error that put Deloatch on first.

After stealing second Deloatch advanced to third and stole home for the run.

It wasn’t enough as the Eagles fell, 16-4.

The Eagles had four hits in the loss.

“We’re hitting better than that in practice,” said Bridgers.

“(Brent) Caudle was one of the better pitchers we’ll face all year.”

Errors cost the Eagles, but overall Bridgers was pleased with his team’s performance in their season opener.

“We made some mistakes but I thought we played well,” he said. “Hopefully we’ll continue to improve.”