Bozeman's winning ways continue

SAND HILLS - Fourth-ranked Bozeman stretched its unbeaten record to 11-0, 5-0 in District 2-2A baseball with a 6-0 win Saturday over ninth-ranked Altha.

Sophomore right-hander Travis Register (5-0) tossed a one-hit shutout for the Bucks and went 3 for 3 at the plate with three RBIs. Register struck out 10 and walked four.

Altha's only hit came with one out in the top of the seventh inning on a pop fly by Keith Kirkpatrick that landed just out of the reach of shortstop Laine Hall. The blooper didn't prevent Register from striking out the final two batters to cement his shutout.

"That hit distracted me for a bit, but I decided to just zone in and finish strong," Register said.

Bozeman opened the scoring in the bottom of the fourth inning. Register had a leadoff triple and scored on a double to left-center by Nick Peterson. Mark Christensen then put down a perfect squeeze bunt enabling Peterson to cross the plate without a play being made.

The Bucks made it 6-0 in the fifth against Altha starter Tad Scott (6-1). Hall was hit by a pitch, Dustin Duncan doubled and Register knocked them in with a double to right-center. Register scored on a two-base error by Altha right fielder Tony Golden on a routine fly hit by Peterson. Will Humphreys' single to right scored Peterson.

"We were shortening our swings against Scott, just trying to put the ball in play," Bozeman coach Jeff Patton said.

Scott went the distance for the Wildcats (13-3, 2-1) allowing eight hits with five strikeouts and no walks. His defense made four errors behind him, however.

"We aren't really concerned about the rankings, although it does pump us up a bit," Patton said. "We just need to focus on beating every team we play."

The Bucks play at home on Tuesday against Blountstown in another District 2-2A matchup. Altha is at Malone on Monday.

Bozeman won the junior varsity game over Altha 21-0 as Jordan Hobbs tossed a no-hitter. The Bucks are 5-8.