Billingsley High School poured on the runs during a 12-2 victory in five innings at home against Isabella High School on March 9.

It was the Bears’ second straight win to open the season. Billingsley has averaged 10.5 runs per game during the first two contests.

“It feels good when everybody’s getting a hit,” Billingsley third baseman Robert Glass said. “It just pumps you up.”

When the offense is producing, it creates added confidence for ace Austin Harrell and the rest of the Bears’ pitching staff.

“I’ve been trying to step up and be a leader the best that I can,” Harrell said.

The Mustangs emerged strong out of the gates with two runs in the top of the first inning, thanks to a pair of Billingsley errors.

However, that would be all the offense that Isabella could muster, as Harrell found a groove and the defense settled in behind him.

After Isabella nearly batted around in the first inning, Harrell only faced 13 batters the next four innings, as the game was called in the fifth inning due to the run rule.

“Once he hit his spots and got a little confidence, everything was there,” Billingsley head coach Ricky Atcheson said.

Billingsley’s offensive outburst came in the second inning, as the Bears batted around and scored eight runs on six hits.

“We were more consistent tonight one through nine [in the lineup],” Atcheson said. “We just want to be a fundamental ball team, and when you do that, you get a score like that.”

The inning was highlighted by a triple for Larry Starks, who demonstrated his speed on the base paths, while fellow senior Matthew Snow added a double.

Other than the senior production, it was Glass, a freshman, who led the way at the plate. He finished 3-of-4 on the night with a pair of RBIs from his cleanup spot in the order.

“He’s been hitting the ball hard, and he’s just on point right now,” Atcheson said. “He’s a real ballplayer and just loves the game.”