There weren't a lot of base hits for Aurora at Branson (3-2) Thursday in its season-opener against the Pirates, but the Houn' Dawgs were on top with the numbers that counted the most, the score, as they rallied in the 7th inning to defeat Branson, 6-5.

Aurora (1-0) managed just two base hits while allowing 12, but scored three runs in the top of the 7th to take the lead. Senior pitcher Dallas Peterson was able to shut the Pirates down in the bottom of the inning to give him the complete-game win.

"The bought in," said Aurora head baseball coach James Hoffman after the win. "I'm so proud of them for not getting down on themselves when we got behind. From the players on the field to the guys in the dugout, they all bought in and believed they could win."

The Houn' Dawgs will take on Glendale Saturday, March 30, in a make-up game from last weekend. Varsity action begins at 1 p.m., followed by the junior varsity.