BAXLEY — Appling County Middle School ended Pierce County Middle School’s quest for a Southeast Georgia Middle School Athletic Conference title with an 8-2 win here in the semifinals.
The Lady Rams never trailed after grabbing a 3-0 first inning lead. They pulled away from a 3-2 advantage with a four-run fourth and plated an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth. Appling Middle capitalized on five Lady Bear errors.
The home team scored on a base hit, groundout and an error - all in succession — against Skylar Whiter (2.1 IP, 3 H, 6 R, 2 ER, 2 K, 3 BB, 2 WP).
PCMS chipped one run off the deficit in the second inning. Whitaker (3-for-3) laced a one-out single and was removed for courtesy runner Kaylee Gruver. Consecutive two-out walks to Haley Morgan and Miranda Howard loaded the bases. Caitlyn Hinnant was hit by a pitch, forcing home Gruver and pulling the Lady Bears to within 3-1.
Pierce Middle would score in the third inning after two outs and nobody on base. Ryleigh Taylor (1-for-3) singled to keep the inning alive, moved to second on a passed ball and raced home on Whitaker’s ensuing single to right off a 2-2 pitch closing the deficit to 3-2.
Appling Middle responded with four runs in the bottom of inning. Three run-scoring singles, one plating two runs, pushed the Lady Rams advantage to 7-2.
The home team added a final run in the sixth getting a one-out walk, stolen base and two passed balls to score against Sadie Warren (3.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 K, 5 BB, 1 HBP).
