SPANISH FORT, Alabama — Spanish Fort won their home opener with an impressive offensive showing over previously undefeated McGill-Toolen Catholic 13-2 Wednesday night on The Hill at SFHS.

Less than 24 hours after getting knocked out of the BayBears Classic tournament in the semifinals by Faith Academy, the Spanish Fort Toros bounced back to defeat the tournament champs. Faith handed SF their first loss with a 3-1 decision. The Jackets then won the tournament later Tuesday with a 6-1 finish at The Hank after rain delayed the championship round one day.

“Tonight his team did what I expect them to do,” said SF head coach Brent Boyd. “They swung the bats, played good defense and stayed in the game mentally, emotionally and with intense energy all the way through. Something we failed to do against Faith. But I think we learned the importance of not waiting to see what happens to us, we have to get out there and make things happen for us. And I’m proud of the way they shook it off last night and came straight back to work tonight. This team is really good when they’re focused, but we need to —as a coaching staff— stay on them about that so it doesn’t become our Achilles’ Heel. We have to learn to keep that level of focus and intensity up every inning, every out, of every game if we want to get where we want to be. It’s a challenge, but I think they want it. It’s good to open at home with a win, especially against a good team like McGill. It always helps to play quality and it’s the best way to get better.”

Gunner Hendrix got the win for the Toros, his second of the year. The sophomore right hander got early support with a 3-run lead in the bottom of the first after Jesse McCord doubled in Rob Perteet and Brian Lane homered with McCord still aboard.

The Jackets scored twice in the top of the second off back-to-back RBI singles by Brandon Donoghue and Alex Bessonen to score Harry Satterwhite and Thomas Hamlin who led off with a single. But the Toros answered with seven runs in their half. Perteet, Lane and Reagan Eubanks had an RBI each while Will Luft and McCord each doubled in a pair of runs. Tyler Trammel and Lane each reached on doubles in the inning.

SF added three more in the third with Eubanks singling home two and McCord driving in Myles York.

The Toros (4-1) take on Faith (5-1) again Saturday at Robertsdale at 1:30 p.m. before playing the Golden Bears (3-2) at 4 p.m. SFHS will host Grissom March 8 starting at 5:30 p.m.

The Jackets (5-1) travel to Stanhope-Elmore Friday and will host Fairhope March 4 at 6 p.m.