Photo by David Jenkins
Farmer Darl Whiteaker tossed a complete game, allowed four
hits and struck out 10 versus Van Alstyne.

Farmers take first at Aubrey Invitational

By David Jenkins
Staff Writer

The Farmers captured their first tournament title of the season in the March 4-6 Aubrey Invitational.

“We pitched well all four games.  All six runs in the tournament we gave up were unearned,” head coach Craig Coheley said. “The pitchers are pounding the strike zone, getting ahead and making pitches. It is good to see all four throwing well. I said in the beginning we needed more depth on the mound, and we are slowly getting it. Our defense was leaky at times, but that will improve with practice, I think. Some of these guys have been out here less than 10 days. We need some time on the field with fundamentals. You can’t always get that playing. But I am proud of where we are at. Our competitiveness is good, we are running the bases well and guys are identifying their roles.”

They pulled off the feat by defeating Aubrey 4-2 in the championship game.

Others wins came against Collinsville (4-0), Melissa (6-2) and Van Alstyne (5-2).

A few stand-out performances from each tournament game included Zach Nichols (complete game one-hitter, five strikeouts and first varsity win), Byron Brooks (scored a pair of runs) and Logan Edge (two hits and a run) against Collinsville.

Edge (3-0 on the season after allowing no hits and striking out three), Chase Wiggins (RBI double) and Darl Whiteaker (two-run single) versus Aubrey.

Austin Brooks (3-for-4 with two runs), Colton Monk (4-for-4, one run and two RBIs) and Whiteaker (complete game four-hitter, 10 strikeouts and improved to 2-0) against Van Alstyne.

Edge had a pair of hits and RBIs, Wiggins had one hit and scored two runs and (Austin) Brooks improved to 2-0 after going six innings with eight strikeouts, two hits and a pair of RBIs).

Next on the schedule is the GCEC Panther Classic, which runs Thursday to Saturday at Van Alstyne’s Forest Moore Park.

The Farmers will play in the National League within Pool 1, which features Prosper, Sanger and Chandler, Okla.

“This will be good for us to face some stiffer competition,” Coheley said. “Myself and the players are looking forward to it with just over a week before district starts. This is the type of tournament that will get your blood flowing a little better. I don’t think I will have to work to get them up for these games.”

They open play 10 a.m. Thursday versus Prosper and then 12:15 p.m. against Sanger.

The next day they take on Chandler, Okla. at 12:15 p.m. All games will be played at Forest Moore Park.

The championship game is scheduled for 5 p.m. Saturday versus the No. 1 team from the National League Pool 2. That pool features Bells, Pottsboro, Van Alstyne and Whitesboro.

Farmersville has one final non-district contest 7:30 p.m. March 16 at home versus Bonham.

Subvarsity report
The junior varsity team defeated Celina (4-0), lost to Pilot Point (5-4) and Whitesboro during the Whitesboro Tournament.

They travel to the Lovejoy-Princeton Tournament, which is Thursday to Saturday.

They will face Gunter (Thursday at 11 a.m.), the Princeton White (Friday at 2 p.m.), the Princeton Maroon (Friday at 7 p.m.) and Frisco Heritage (Saturday at 2 p.m.). All games will be played at Princeton High School.