Dylan Shelby pitched a five-inning perfect game to lead Dallas County to an 11-0 win in the first half of a doubleheader on Thursday.

It was the first perfect game of the Jefferson State signee’s high school career.

“I felt real good,” said Shelby. “I felt like the ball was popping pretty good. The curve ball was working when I threw it. You can’t ask for more than that.”

Thursday’s game also marked an impressive turnaround for the Hornets’ bats. They were limited to one hit in a 15-0 loss to Chilton County on Wednesday. On Thursday, Dallas County racked up 10 of them.

“We were aggressive early in the game at the plate,” said Dallas County coach Ty Riggins. “We hit the ball, made a lot of contact, put the ball in play. Ultimately, that’s the difference in the ball game.”

Aggressive was an understatement. Only one day removed from a lackluster performance against Chilton County, Dallas County opened the game with five straight singles, capped by a Justin Moore double that pushed the Hornets’ lead to 3-0.

They led 5-0 after one and tacked on two more in the second.

While Dallas County lit up the scoreboard, Shelby didn’t need that much help. He struck out 13 of the 15 batters he faced.

Despite Shelby’s dominance, Southside coach LaMorris Jones is not sure the Hornets got his team’s best effort.

“We just didn’t come out ready to play,” said Jones. “We hit the ball better than that.”

Justin Moore went 3-for-3 with four steals and two runs to lead the Hornets’ offensive effort. Justin McAfee went 2-for-4 and scored two runs, and Drew Blackmon went 2-for-4 with two runs and three steals.