HINESVILLE — Liberty County ran its winning streak to nine games here Wednesday beating visiting Brantley County 11-1 in five innings.
The Panthers (13-2) split the season series with BCHS (5-8) after dropping a 12-3 Valentine’s Day decision in Caney Bay February 14 after a 4-0 start to the season.
The Panthers have scored 10+ runs in six of the nine games during the winning streak and allowed 20 runs.
Brantley County struck for its lone run in the second inning. Kaden Hendrix (2-for-2) opened the inning with a first-pitch single.
After Jackson Rowell’s groundout moved Hendrix into scoring position, Carson Coger walked on five pitches. Cain Roberson (1for-2) drilled the ensuing pitch for double to left-center scoring Hendrix for a 1-0 lead. An 8-6-2 relay to the plate nailed Coger.
Liberty County roughed up Rylee Young (2.2 IP, 6 H, 7 R, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB) and Parker Rentz (.2 IP, 2 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 4 BB, 1 HBP, 1 WP) in the third inning. Two walks sandwiched around an error on a sacrifice bunt loaded the bases. The Panthers followed with a two-run single and three consecutive run-scoring singles for a 5-1 lead. A fourth straight single and a walk re-loaded the bases.
A second straight walk forced home a run and was followed by a two-run single and a run-scoring single before the inning ended with Liberty County in front 9-1.
BCHS was unable to take advantage of Hendrix single and Rowell walk to start the fourth with the Panthers escaping with no damage.
Liberty County plated two final runs in the bottom of the fourth. A hit batter and consecutive walks loaded the bases with one out. A two-base fielding error scored the runners from second and third for an 11-1 lead.
