A two-out, run-scoring single in the top of the seventh inning capped a three-run rally, lifting visiting Colquitt County to a 7-6 victory here Tuesday over Ware County.
The unbeaten Class 6A Packers (4-0) ended a three-game road trip following wins at Bainbridge and Lee County. Colquitt County was the Gators’ (0-5) fifth consecutive foe from a higher classification.
The Packers are currently the lone unranked foe after ScoreAtlanta’s recently released Top 10 poll following Week 1. South Effingham made an appearance at No. 9.
Down 6-4 entering the seventh and down to its final two outs, Colquitt County produced two extra base hits and two singles in a five-batter sequence against Seth Suess (2 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 K, 0 BB) for the comeback.
The Ware County reliever sat the Packers down in order in the sixth on 10 pitches, and the leadoff batter in the seventh on one pitch, before batted balls found open spaces.
A one-out single was followed by a ringing double off a 3-0 offering. An ensuing two-run double off a 2-1 pitch tied the game at 6-apiece. After a strikeout for the second out, a third 3-2 pitch was laced to center, driving home the eventual winning run.
The Gators built a 5-0 advantage over four innings, highlighted by a four-run first inning.
Slade Sweat (2-for-4) opened the Ware County first reaching on an error and stole second. He raced home from second when Landon Smallwood’s (1for-4) one-out grounder was booted.
Suess (3-for-3), after fouling off consecutive pitches, lined a double to right-center, putting runners on the corners. Collin Crawford (1-for-2) legged out a bunt, scoring Suess for a 2-0 advantage.
Following a double steal, both Suess and Crawford scored on a Colt Cox groundout, doubling the margin to 4-0.
Ware County plated a fifth inning run for a 5-0 lead. Garrison Joyner drew a one-out walk, stole second with two outs, and followed two pitches later with a theft of third. The throw from the catcher was errant, allowing Joyner to race home.
Colquitt County struck for four runs in the fifth against Tanner Lairsey (9 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 K, 0 BB), who entered the frame with a two-hit shutout. The Packers batted around collecting seven hits in the inning.
The Gators let a scoring opportunity slip in the fifth after loading the bases, following two strikeouts, to start the inning. Smallwood kept the fifth alive with a two-out single. Suess and Crawford followed with walks before the inning ended.
Ware County scored its final run in the bottom of the sixth on a two-out single by Walker Hudson (1for-4). Keaton Holloway (1-for-1) singled with one out, with Sweat following two batters later with a two-out single, putting runners on the corners for Hudson.
