Walks were the death knell for the Higbee Tigers baseball team Friday as the Brashear Tigers stopped Higbee’s winning streak with a 13-3 win.

Brashear started early with a run in the top of the first and another in the second to take a 2-0 lead in the middle of the second. By that time, Brashear had already been issued six walks. 

In the bottom of the second, Higbee responded when freshman catcher Robert Smith reached on an error and advanced to second when sophomore Micah Kirby grounded out to the pitcher. Sophomore Jaxon Hudson was hit by a pitch to give Higbee runners at first and second. Following a strikeout, senior Malaki Squires became the second hit batsman in the inning to load the bases with two outs. The following batter, sophomore shortstop Derek Rockett, launched a double to left driving in Smith and Hudson. The Brashear left fielder Charles Houghton, fired into third baseman Jack Reeves, who fired a perfect relay throw into catcher Jace Snelling who tagged Squires for the third out of the inning. The damage, however, was done as Higbee had evened the score 2-2.

Only one walk was issued by Higbee in the top of the third, but errors became the issue for the Tigers. While Brashear notched two hits in the inning, two errors added to the Tigers’ woes as Brashear plated three runs in the inning.

Leading off the bottom of the third, junior Chevy Grimsley was hit by a pitch to earn first base. With Spilman at-bat, Grimsley stole second. Following a strikeout, Grimsley stole third before senior Jamie Smith laid down a sacrifice bunt to score him, making the score 5-3 in favor of Brashear.

 Brashear added eight in the top of the fifth to put the mercy rule into effect. Higbee threatened in the bottom of the fifth but stranded Grimsley at second and Squires at third when the final out was made, allowing Brashear to go home with the 13-3 victory.

The 1-2-3 hitters in the Higbee lineup accounted for all three of the team’s hits. Rockett led the way with a double and two RBIs while Grimsley and Spilman each singled. Spilman started on the mound and took the loss for Higbee, striking out four and giving up only three hits. Higbee will travel to Slater on Thursday to take on the Wildcats at 5 p.m., then to Marion County for a 5 p.m. start on Friday.