Leopards cruise, keep Cobras winless

Kai Huff is a star on the mound and at the plate for Hernando.

By DEREK LARIVIERE
Published March 28, 2007

BROOKSVILLE - Hernando became the latest program to extend Hudson's losing streak on Tuesday night.

Behind the all-around efforts of Kai Huff, the Leopards pulled to a 10-0 lead in the fourth inning and cruised to a 12-2 victory.

Huff, who started on the mound, pitched three scoreless innings for Hernando (8-6) before coach Donnie Whitehead decided to give some of his other hurlers some much needed work. The Leopards ace struck out two and walked none in his short stint.

At the plate, Huff fueled the Hernando offense from the start. His first two at-bats in the first and second innings resulted in RBI doubles. For the night, he went 4-for-4 with four RBIs, two runs scored and a walk.

"Kai has a great baseball IQ," Whitehead said. "He is a real student of the game."

Huff was not the only offensive star for the Leopards though. Hudson (0-14) pitchers had trouble containing most of the Hernando lineup, even when Whitehead began to clear the bench in the fourth inning. Eight players had base hits, and eight scored.

The Cobras continued to fight despite the large deficit. In the teams' last meeting at Hudson, Hernando jumped out early but won 16-14.

Hernando got a scare as Hudson scored in the top of the fifth and sixth innings to extend the game.

[Last modified March 28, 2007, 00:34:35]