LUDOWICI — Ware County put together four three-run innings to back the pitching of seven hurlers in a 12-3 scrimmage win here Thursday against Long County.
The Gators open for keeps Thursday afternoon, February 9 in Brunswick with a date against Glynn Academy. The two will matchup Monday, February 13 in Ware County’s home opener.
Landon Dean led three players with multi-hit games going 3-for-4. Luke Hooks and Evan Joiner collected two hits apiece. Bryce Dixon supplied the long ball with a sixth-inning roundtripper.
Head coach Jamie Ammons used the “Johnny Wholestaff” approach giving seven pitchers each one inning of work. Dixon, Noah Bunch, Jaxton Harris, Lane Steedley, Joiner, Hooks and Cole Cox combined on the seven-hitter. They totaled nine strikeout, 11 walks and a hit batter.
Harris, Steedley and Joiner were each charged with a run.
The Gators struck for three runs in the second inning, the first of three-straight three-run rallies, on a run-scoring groundout off the bat of Teagan Harris (1-for-2, double, three RBIs), a passed ball and a run-scoring single by Alex Justice (1-for-3, two RBI).
Ware County doubled its advantage to 6-0 in the third inning after escaping a bases loaded situation in the bottom of the second.
Cole Cox (1-for-5), who opened the inning with a base hit, eventually scored on a one-out, bases loaded wild pitch. Hooks (2-for-3) scored on a bases loaded walk to Caden Henderson (1-for-3, double, two RBI). Noah Bunch scored the last run being pushed home when Harris was hit by a pitch.
The Blue Tide plated a run in the bottom of the inning on a two-out double off Harris.
Ware County extended the lead to 9-1 with a three-run fourth. Dean followed two one-out walks and a hit batter with a run-scoring single knocking home Hooks. Henderson’s ensuing sacrifice fly scored Jaxton Harris. Teagan Harris followed with a run-scoring double for an eight-run cushion.
Long County got one run back in the bottom of the fourth against Steedley on the second of two straight one-out walks with the first loading the bases.
The Blue Tide scored its last run in the bottom of the fifth to trail 9-3. Four straight batters reached after two outs against Joiner, who issued back-to-back walks after hitting a batter and surrendering a base hit.
The Gators pushed home the final three runs in the top of the sixth. Dixon supplied the first run with a one-out homer. Consecutive singles ensued and were followed by three straight two-out walks, the last two to Easton Weathersby and Justice pushing home runs.
