APEX – Though Apex High got four timely hits that scored two runs in the fifth inning of its 5-0 home win against Athens Drive on Friday night, Cougars’ coach Mike Valder said it was his team’s defense that ultimately energized them.

Apex pitcher Jake Milichinick pitched six strong innings for the Cougars, allowing just four hits and no runs, while a stout defense behind him made the plays to keep the Jaguars off the board.

“We had some very timely hits, but our defense kept us in it,” said Valder. “That’s our thing, when Jake’s on the mound and when we play defense behind him, we have a chance.”

The Cougars’ offensive explosion in the fifth didn’t hurt either.

With Apex up 2-0 heading into the bottom of the inning, the Cougars’ designated hitter Harry Vorhees smacked a two-run single that brought home third-baseman Theo Bacot — who reached base on a single — and shortstop Chris Diaz, who hit a double.

The Cougars would add their fifth and final run one inning later. Right fielder Christian Rholl reached third on an Athens Drive error in the outfield, then four batters later, Diaz brought him home on an RBI single.

“They had a chance to see (Athens starting pitcher) Chris (Williams) for a couple rounds then I think we settled in a bit,” Valder said.

Second baseman Sean Buchanan, first baseman Houston Hawley, Diaz and left fielder Taylor Gitlin all had two hits for the Cougars, while four others had one.

The Cougars had two hits in the first inning, but the game remained scoreless until the bottom of the third, when Bacot’s sacrifice bunt brought Buchanan home.

Apex added its second run one inning later, when catcher Parker Harrell’s RBI single scored center fielder Ryne Frankoff.

Athens, meanwhile, got just three hits all game and couldn’t capitalize on the few chances it had to score. In the second inning, the Jaguars had their best chance to earn runs when right fielder Blair Betts put the ball into play on a single with two runners on base and just one out.

But put 4-2-6 and 2-5 defensive plays from Apex gave the Jaguars their second and third outs, ending the inning.

Athens would just get two more hits over the next five innings. All told, four Jaguars earned one hit a piece.

“Tonight, we didn’t hit the ball, bottom line. Good pitching beats good hitting and tonight we didn’t swing the bat,” said Jags coach Joey Bell. “Give [Apex] the credit, they put the ball into play.”