By FRED CONLEY
T-H Sports Editor
The Forrest City Mustangs opened the 2002 high school baseball season with a 14-0 shutout win over the Brinkley Tigers last Friday at the Sports Complex.
It was Brinkley's first shutout loss of the year.
For Mustang head coach Reggie Murphy, just getting the game in was cause to breathe a little easier.
After having the season-opener against Searcy cancelled earlier last week, Murphy said he wanted to get in the game against Brinkley.
"I don't exactly want to start the season against Jonesboro," Murphy said last week.
For the Tigers it was a game of too many errors.
"We gave Forrest City four and five outs each inning," said Brinkley coach Kevin Smith. "Plus our pitcher hit maybe five of their batters and then things just kind of snowballed for us."
Today, the Mustangs will try to make it two straight wins as the team travels to Jonesboro to take on the Hurricane in AAAAA-East Conference play.
Game time is set for 4 p.m.
Also on today's schedule, the Lady Mustangs will host Little Rock Mills in fast-pitch softball action at the Sports Complex, beginning at 4:30 p.m.
The Lady Mustangs, in their first full season of fast-pitch, opened the season last Thursday with a 19-4 win over Little Rock McClellan.
*The Hughes Blue Devils are scheduled to open their first season of baseball on Monday, March 11.
The team, being coached by Bert Greenwell, will play a junior varsity schedule this season.
The Lady Blue Devils are scheduled to open the slow-pitch softball season on Tuesday, March 12, when they travel to Elaine.
The girls are being coached by Brad Brannen.
Also today, the Palestine-Wheatley Lady Patriots will host Barton beginning at 4 p.m. and the Patriots will be on the road at Carlisle -- also a 4 p.m. start.
The Forrest City Recreation Department has opened the registration process for a new 18-under girls' fast-pitch softball league.
Anyone interested in joining the league should contact Kenneth Taylor at (870) 633-3667 from 8 a.m. unitl 6 p.m.
Individual player fees are $15 for those living inside the city limits and $25 for those living outside the city limits.
"We've had a lot of interest in starting this league," said Taylor. "We are giving everyone until Friday to respond and at that time we will decide if we have enough players to continue the league."
The sign-up period will run through Friday, March 8.
Taylor also said coaches and sponsors are needed for this league as well.
* PREP SPORTS
HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL
Friday's Score
Forrest City 14, Brinkley 0
Tuesday, March 5
Forrest City at Jonesboro, 4 p.m.
Palestine-Wheatley at Carlisle, 4 p.m.
Thursday, March 7
Palestine-Wheatley at Elaine, 4 p.m.
HIGH SCHOOL GOLF
Tuesday, March 5
Forrest City vs Marion at Marion, 3:30 p.m.
Thursday, March 7
Searcy at Forrest City, 3:30 p.m.
GIRLS SLOW-PITCH SOFTBALL
Tuesday, March 12
Hughes at Elaine, 4 p.m.
Thursday, March 14
Hughes at Cross County, 3:30 p.m.
GIRLS FAST-PITCH SOFTBALL
Tuesday, March 5
Little Rock Mills at Forrest City, 4:30 p.m.
Barton at Palestine-Wheatley, 4 p.m.
Thursday, March 7
Forrest City at Jacksonville, 5 p.m.
Brinkley at Palestine-Wheatley, 4 p.m.
HIGH SCHOOL TRACK
Thursday, March 7
Forrest City at West Memphis, 4 p.m.
(Boys and Girls)
JUNIOR HIGH TRACK
Tuesday, March 12
Forrest City Blue & White at West Memphis, 4 p.m. Boys & Girls