VALDOSTA — Two-time defending Class 6A champion Lowndes used a four-run fifth inning to break a 2-2 game and then hung on to beat visiting Ware County 6-4 Tuesday in the season opening matchup of Top 10 programs.
The ninth-ranked Class 4A Gators (0-1) outhit the thirdranked Class 6A Vikings (1-0) 129 in the February 10 affair. Lowndes had four extra base hits that included a double and three homers.
Ware County used four sophomores and a junior to toe the rubber. They combined for three strikeouts, three walks, a hit batter. The Vikings countered with five pitches who combined for 11 strikeouts, four walks and a wild pitch.
The Gators let a first inning scoring opportunity slip away with Slade Sweat (2-for-4) and Seth Suess (2-for-3) lining backto- back one out singles. Lowndes starter Brinson Rountree, who worked two innings, fanned the next two batters.
Ware County stranded Garrison Joyner (1-for-3) at second in the second inning. He lined a leadoff single and advanced to second on Collin Crawford’s (2for-3) ensuing first-pitch sacrifice bunt. Rountree retired the next two batters.
The Gators plated their first run of the season in the second against reliever Wesley Blanchard. Walker Hudson (1-for-3) drew a leadoff, four-pitch walk. After stealing second, he scored a one-out single off the bat of Suess. A two-out walk to Keaton Holloway was followed by a runscoring single off an 0-2 pitch by Landon Smallwood (2-for-4) upping the lead to 2-0.
Lowndes quickly tied the score against Ryder Kinnon (2.2 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 K, 0 BB) with a one-out, two-run homer by leadoff hitter Matthew Kerrigan (2for-3).
Trace Crosby followed Kinnon working 1.1 inning of scoreless relief allowing a base hit. He fanned one and walked one The Vikings scored four times in the fifth a against Lucas Howard, who faced three batters surrendering three hits and three runs, and Eli Watkins, who was charged with one run on one hit.
A leadoff single was followed by a homer to right by Hank Drew (2-for-4) off a 1-1 offering. Derrick Carter, Jr. (2-for-4) followed blasting a 3-1 pitch over the fence in right for a 5-2 lead ending Howard’s afternoon.
Watkins issued a one-out walk, gave up a double putting runners at second and third, and a sacrifice fly to center as Lowndes extended its lead to 6-2.
The Gators, who left Crawford and Suess standing in the sixth, scored twice and had the tying runs at second and third in the seventh when the final out was recorded.
Sweat legged out a leadoff infield hit with Suess following with a walk. Smallwood delivered a one-out, run-scoring single cutting the lead to 6-3.
Following a fielder’s choice groundout, Crawford lined a two-out, run-scoring single to center pulling Ware County to 64. A wild pitch moved Joyner to third with Crawford following with a theft of second. Lowndes got out of the jam with a swinging strikeout.
