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Ethan Prickett came up with the go-ahead hit to take advantage of a complete-game performance by Grant Hill and claim an area win for Chelsea against Hewitt-Trussville. (For the Reporter/Cari Dean)

By ANDREW SIMONSON | Sports Editor

TRUSSVILLE – While the Chelsea Hornets started area play with a 6-1 loss to the Hewitt-Trussville Huskies, they went into Trussville on Thursday, April 4 and claimed revenge in a 3-1 win to split the area series.

Grant Hill started the game strong on the mound by taking three strikeouts in the first inning. His effort was part of a solid effort by both defenses to start the game as the teams went to the bottom of the third in a scoreless tie.

After Hill took his fourth strikeout of the game to start the half-inning, Hewitt-Trussville put a pair of runners on base with a single and a walk.

A fielder’s choice got the second out but advanced a runner to third base, and a wild pitch during the ensuing at-bat put the Huskies up 1-0.

Chelsea had a strong opportunity to take the lead after Hewitt-Trussville loaded up the bases off a hit by pitch and back-to-back walks, but the Huskies got out of the inning unscathed.

However, the Hornets responded with a one-two-three inning in the bottom of the fifth before getting another chance at the lead in the top of the sixth.

After back-to-back walks to start the inning to put Aiden Hughes and Paxton Stallings on base, Mack Breazeale hit a sacrifice bunt to try to advance the runners, but he ended up reaching base off an error and loading up the bases.

Miller Bauman took advantage of having no outs on the scoreboard to hit into a groundout and bring a run home to tie the game at 1-1.

While the next batter struck out, Ethan Prickett came up big on a 3-2 pitch to hit a bases-clearing double and take a 3-1 lead.

Hewitt-Trussville never got a chance to respond as it only got one hit in the final two innings while Hill closed out the win on the mound.

Hill finished the complete-game win with seven strikeouts against just one run, two hits and four walks.

The Hornets will finish the regular season with a pair of county series in area play, first against Oak Mountain. They will hit the road for the first matchup of the series on Tuesday, April 9 at 5 p.m. before hosting the Eagles on Thursday, April 11 at 5 p.m.

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