Gators take series road opener 9-3
WARNER ROBINS — Slade Sweat drove home four runs with three hits, including a solo homer, as Ware County extended its winning streak to nine games here Tuesday posting a 9-3 decision in the Region 1-AAAA series opener with Warner Robins.
The Gators (11-7 overall, 7-0 region), ranked 13th by MaxPreps, used a pair of three-run innings in the March 24 matchup to subdue the Demons (89, 2-5), who lost a second straight game and fell for the fifth time in seven games.
Sweat, who went 3for-4, had a run-scoring double in the third inning, a solo homer in the fifth (first of year), and a two-run single in the seventh.
Ware County used a trio of pitchers with Seth Suess (5 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 5 K, 0 BB) getting the start. Landon Smallwood (1 IP, 0 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 K, 2 BB, 1 HBP) and Eli Watkins (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 K, 0 BB, 1 HBP) worked an inning each.
The Gators broke a scoreless game in the top of the third after having the first six batters retired in order.
Keaton Holloway and Colt Cox each worked full-count walks to start the inning. Garrison Joyner was hit by the first after the Cox walk loading the bases.
A fielder’s choice groundout off the bat of Collin Crawford plated Holloway. Cox was gunned down at the plate trying to score from second.
After Crawford stole second, Suess (2for-3) legged out an infield hit putting runners at the corners. Sweat followed with a run-scoring double plating Crawford. Suess’s courtesy runner, Brody Burchett, scored when the ball was mishandled for a 3-0 lead.
The Demons scored their first run in the bottom of the fourth. A one-out double was followed by run-scoring single cutting the deficit to 3-1.
Ware County scored three times after two were out in the fifth to open up a 6-1 advantage. Joyner lined a one-out single and moved into scoring position on an errant throw from the catcher.
Suess doubled on the next offering scoring Joyner with the first run. Burchett, inserted as a courtesy runner, stole third and scored the second run on an error. Sweat deposited the next over the fence in left-center for a five-run margin.
Ware County scored a run in the sixth, upping its advantage to 7-1. Tanner Larisey (1-for-3) opened the frame with a single. Courtesy runner Ryder Gilbert advanced when Holloway was hit one pitch later.
Both runners moved up 90 feet on a Cox sacrifice bunt. Joyner’s ensuing grounder plated Gilbert. Holloway was tagged out at the plate trying to score from the second.
Warner Robins scored two runs in the bottom of the sixth slicing the deficit to 7-3. The Demons scored on a theft of home and a sacrifice fly off Smallwood.
The Gators padded their margin with two runs in the seventh building a 9-3 lead. Crawford opened the inning reaching on a two-base error. After Suess was hit by the ensuing pitch, the pair pulled off a double steal. Each scored two pitches later on Sweat’s single to left.
