COVINGTON, Ga. — Jimmy Hughes may find the use of a thesaurus helpful as he tries to figure out new ways to describe sophomore phenom Ryan Spikes. 

Spikes unloaded on a Stockbridge team led by Texas Tech commit Michael Harris to the tune of a 2-for-2 night at the plate with a pair of home runs and five RBI in a 9-6 win Wednesday night at Alcovy. 

In the process, Alcovy handed Stockbridge its second straight loss while breaking its own two-game skid to even its record at 3-3 heading into Saturday’s Newton Cup action at Eastside. 

As for Spikes — himself a Tennessee commit but also a likely future MLB Draft pick — Hughes was somewhat speechless.

“Ryan Spikes is something else,” he said. “I can’t figure out any adjectives at this point.” 

Spikes’ performance continued his dominance of Stockbridge. Last year he did it on the mound, helping the Tigers come from behind a 4-0 deficit en route to a 13-4 win. 

This time, Spikes did most of his damage at the plate, even in a situation reminiscent to last year’s Stockbridge game. 

Alcovy jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. Stockbridge claimed temporary control in the third when it exploded for five runs. Alcovy battled back in the bottom of the fourth to tie things at 5-5, and that’s when Spikes uncorked his second homer — a 3-run shot to deep left that Hughes called “the back-breaker” that put his team up 8-5 in what proved to be an insurmountable lead. 

The Tigers held Stockbridge’s Harris to 0-3 at the plate, including a strikeout. Caleb Griffeth picked up the win, recording three strikeouts while surrendering five hits and runs in four innings of work. Lefty Hunter Owensby pitched two innings of relief, striking out four while Spikes shut things down, fanning two Stockbridge batters in the game’s final frame. 

Hughes also saluted senior Riley Thompson who gave Alcovy a 3-for-3 performance at the plate in the 8-hole. 

Alcovy will host Putnam County Thursday night, weather permitting, at 7 p.m., then will face in-county rivals Eastside and Newton Saturday at Eastside, beginning at 11 a.m.