The Russellville Golden Tigers began the journey to what they hope will be another championship baseball season with a dominating 16-5 road victory over the Randolph Raiders in Huntsville Feb. 19.

RHS outhit Randolph by a 14-7 total, and the Golden Tigers used six pitchers tossing one frame each during the six-inning contest.

The twin sons of head coach Chris Heaps were both major contributors to the team’s success on opening day. Casen Heaps led the way to victory at the plate for Russellville with a four-for-five performance. The outfielder had a home run, two doubles, four RBIs and two stolen bases, and he scored three times. Brayden Heaps added a three-run home run, and he pitched an inning of scoreless relief to finish the game.

Eli Gipson and Karson Hyde had two hits apiece for the Golden Tigers. Also hitting safely for RHS were Grayson Thorpe, Canyon Pace, Ethan Oliver, Shayden Romans and Andrew Hatton. Gipson, Hyde, Oliver, Pace and Thorpe all had doubles. P

Picking up RBIs for RHS were Gipson with three and Thorpe, Pace, Oliver and Hyde with one each. Reed Hill and Nathan Brockway helped the cause with walks and runs scored.

Emitt Green got the start on the mound, giving up three hits and two runs. The right-hander struck out two and walked none. He was followed in relief by Banks Langston, Samuel Pace, Logan White, Brayden Spurgeon and Brayden Heaps. White allowed two runs, with one being unearned, and Spurgeon allowed the other Randolph run.

Russellville pitchers struck out 11 Raiders.

White got three strikeouts, Pace and Spurgeon had two each, and Langston and Heaps got one each.