Raiders drop home-away set vs. Huntland

8:51 p.m. March 24, 2026

DUANE CROSS
MCO Publisher•Editor

Moore County piled up 10 hits Tuesday night, but Huntland delivered the game’s biggest blows in a 9-7 win over the Raiders at Huntland.

Moore County finished with a 10-6 edge in hits, getting two-hit efforts from Crew Costello, Colton Morey, Jax Ross, and Jose Garcia. Garcia also drove in two runs from the No. 8 spot in the lineup.

Huntland struck first in the bottom of the opening inning, scoring three times on an RBI single by Jed Ashley and sacrifice flies from Caleb Maxwell and Bryant Mooney.

Moore County drew even in the second. Garcia tripled, and Braylynn Hill singled as the Raiders tied the game at 3-3.

Huntland moved ahead in the bottom of the third. Ashley singled home a run, and Maxwell followed with another sacrifice fly to make it 5-3.

Moore County pulled even again in the fifth, tying the game at 5. Ross drove in a run with a single, Jace Deal brought home another on a fielder’s choice, and Costello added an RBI single.

The decisive swing came in the bottom of the fifth. Kasen Kildoo tripled home two runs, and an error later in the frame helped Huntland stretch the lead to 9-6.

Moore County got one back in the sixth when Morey singled to left and a misplay allowed Hill to score, trimming the deficit to 9-7.

Grant Jernigan earned the win for Huntland, allowing seven hits and six runs, four earned, over 4 1/3 innings while striking out six and walking three. Maxwell earned the save in relief.

Garcia took the loss for Moore County. The right-hander pitched five innings, allowing nine runs, four earned, on six hits while striking out five and walking three.

Ashley went 2-for-3 to lead Huntland at the plate, while Maxwell and Kildoo each drove in two runs. Jernigan stole three bases as Huntland swiped four total and turned one double play.

Moore County travels to Mount Pleasant on Thursday. First pitch is set for 6 p.m.

Huntland 4, Raiders 1

An early Huntland push proved too much for Moore County to overcome Monday as the Raiders fell 4-1 at home.

Huntland struck first in the top of the first inning, scoring twice to take a 2-0 lead. Grant Jernigan sparked the early surge with a triple to center field, and Bryant Mooney followed with a sacrifice fly to put the visitors in command.

Moore County answered in the bottom of the third. Ryland Stovall reached on an error that allowed Colton Morey to score, trimming the deficit to 2-1.

That was as close as the Raiders would get. Huntland starter Eli Fitch kept Moore County from finding another breakthrough, and Huntland added breathing room in the top of the seventh when two runs scored on a two-out error.

Fitch went the distance for Huntland, allowing four hits and one unearned run over seven innings while striking out nine and walking one.

Morey took the loss for Moore County, but delivered a solid complete-game effort. He pitched all seven innings, allowing four runs, two earned, on five hits while striking out six and walking one.

Morey also led the Raiders offensively, going 2-for-3 and stealing two bases.

Jernigan finished 3-for-4 to lead Huntland at the plate, while Mooney drove in a run.