Laing hits four home runs for Douglas

Douglas High's Ryan Laing found his power stroke and a little more Thursday afternoon at Hug High School.

Laing blasted four home runs, driving in 10 runs while going 6-for-6 at the plate with six runs scored as Douglas pounded the Hawks 33-0 in Sierra League action.

"I don't know if I've ever seen anyone hit four home runs in a high school game before," Douglas coach John Glover said. "That was fun. He had a great day."

Laing hit two of his home runs in the 10-run first inning alone.

His first was a three-run line drive shot to right field, followed by a two-run shot to right field later in the first inning.

He hit a grand slam to deep center in the second and wrapped up with a solo shot to left in the fifth.

Not to say that it was Laing alone providing the offense.

Douglas pounded out 28 hits as a team and every starter collected at least one hit and all but one starter had at least one RBI. The Tigers had seven home runs on the afternoon.

"Today the guys really stayed within the approach at the plate," Glover said. "Everyone got to play."

Nate Whalin went 4-for-4 at the plate with five RBI, a stolen base and two home runs. D.J. Brady and Cory Eilers each had three RBI and Ryan Pruitt, Niko Saladis and Ryan Guzman each had two RBI.

Roman Davis went 4-for-4 at the plate as well with a triple and an RBI. Brady and Saladis each tripled also, although Saladis came around to score on a throwing error after his triple.

All the offensive fireworks nearly overshadowed a combined no-hitter for Adam Burnside and Brandon Bernard on the mound.

Douglas allowed four baserunners in the game, all of which came on errors.

The Tigers won their 10th in a row, improving to 13-7 overall and 10-3 in Sierra League play.

"The kids struggled a bit at the start of league play," Glover said. "But we have been playing much better recently.

"We need to try to pick up two more Saturday and hopefully carry that momentum into the Atwater tournament (next week)."