Strikes . . . strikes . . . and more strikes!

Issuing few — if any — walks, Jefferson’s pitchers carried the Cougars over the 20-win threshold for the 40th consecutive season with a 3-2 victory over Hedgesville in eight innings, an 11-1 win against Frankfort, a 2-1 victory over defending Class AA state champion Bridgeport and a 4-1 success against 2015 Class AAA state semifinalist Greenbrier East.

Jefferson had a 24-2 record after Monday’s game at home against Spring Mills was rained out after a stoppage of play in the top of the third inning when lightning was spotted by the umpires.

In the one-run, eight-inning win over Hedgesville, it was reliever Jordan Beans who blanked the Eagles over the final five innings. Beans did not allow a hit or a walk while fanning five.

Jefferson had seven hits, including Austin Bulman’s 2-for-3. Charlie Barnholt, Bailey Dodson and Beans drove in the runs Jefferson scored.

Dylan Carroll authored a six-inning four-hitter when the Cougars thumped Frankfort, 11-1, in a game limited to six innings by the 10-run mercy rule. Carroll struck out eight and allowed just two walks.

Bulman had two hits and four RBIs and Dylan Mackey was 2-for-2 with two RBIs. Alex Tennant scored three runs and Paul Witt scored twice. Austin Cross went 1-for-1 with an RBI and drew two walks.

In the tense, one-run win over Bridgeport it was Bradley Davis pitching a seven-inning complete game. Davis spaced three hits and fanned five. He limited the Indians to only two walks.

Bailey Dodson was 2-for-2 and drove in a run. Cameron Alvarez was 1-for-3, scored a run and drove in a run. Barnholt and Witt each had a hit and Barnholt scored a run.

In the three-run victory over Greenbrier East, Austin Cross authored a nifty five-hitter in his complete game effort. He fanned nine and didn’t allow any walks.

Witt was 2-for-4 with two runs scored and one RBI. Bulman was 1-for-2, scored a run and drove in a run. Barnholt had a hit and an RBI, Mason Steeley was 1-for-2 and scored once and Cross was 1-for-3.

The Cougars travel to Cooperstown, New York and face Pendleton County and Petersburg in a doubleheader at much-heralded Doubleday Field near Major League baseball’s Hall of Fame.