SHEPHERDSTOWN – Throwing strikes meant Jefferson’s Taylor Tennant would deflate Musselman’s offense. And with the mammoth eight-run third inning the Cougars produced, it meant an 11-0 win over the Applemen in a mercy-rule game last week at Sager Field.

Tennant yielded only a lone walk, had a no-hitter through three innings and tamed Musselman in his five innings of complete game pitching.

And with eight hits and 10 base runners and eight runs in its half of the third, Jefferson quickly took any competitiveness out of the game.

Both Tennant and Coleson Titus had two hits in the lengthy rally that eventually left Jefferson with a 9-0 lead.

The Cougars had won their final of four games in Myrtle Beach and then shut out Woodgrove (Va.) the previous night, moving their win streak to a modest three games. Following the victory over Musselman, Jefferson defeated Berkeley Springs, Bishop Sullivan (Va.) and Pendleton County in quick order to improve its overall record to 21-5.

In the rout of Musselman, Cory Daly (two doubles) and Zac Rose (two hits) both scored two runs. Hayden Stang was on base three times and scored twice.

Tennant contributed three singles to Jefferson’s 12-hit offense that was abetted by two hit batters, three walks and three Applemen errors.

Tennant finished his work with three strikeouts, while allowing four singles.

With the Class AAA Sectional tournament just ahead, the Cougars host Grace Academy (Md.) in a doubleheader on Saturday. Also in Jefferson’s Sectional will be Hampshire and Washington. The Cougars played at Hampshire earlier this week. Prior to that game, Jefferson’s record in games against the Trojans and Patriots was 3-0.

Tennant had once again proven the most trusted way to win high school baseball games is to stay away from walks.