Ware County stretched its current winning streak to four games sweeping Vidalia in a home-andhome series and beating Appling County on the road in a three-game slate of games.
The MaxPreps Class 4A third-ranked Gators (11-1) opened the week pounding Class A DI homestanding Vidalia (4-5-1), ranked 21st, 16-0 in four innings Monday, March 3. They followed with a second “mercy rule” win Thursday, March 6 over the Indians at home recording a 14-3 decision in five innings handing the visitors a fourth consecutive setback.
Ware County wrapped up the week finishing off the season sweep of Class AA 16th-ranked Appling County (5-8), losers in four of its last five games, winning 8-3 Friday, March 7 in Baxley. WCHS doubled up the Pirates 6-3 February 28 at home.
The Gators began region play this week hosting 19th-ranked New Hampstead Tuesday, March 11 in the first tilt of a threegame series. The two teams will play a doubleheader Friday, March 14 in Savannah.
Ware County travels to current 32nd-ranked Perry Tuesday, March 18. The Panthers visit Friday, March 21 for a doubleheader beginning at 4 p.m.
No. 3 Gators ...........16 No. 21 Vidalia ..........0
VIDALIA — Ware County banged out 15 hits with five players recording multi-hit games in the rout of the Indians.
Bryce Dixon led the way with three hits in three atbats. Seth Suess (homer), Walker Hudson and Luke Hooks each finished 2-for-3. Landon Smallwood went 2-for-2.
The Gators scored four times in the first inning, the first of two four-run uprisings. Seven consecutive batters reached after the first out.
Cole Cox (1-for-3) and Suess lined back-to-back, one-out singles. Cox stole third and scored on an error for a quick 1-0 lead. A walk to Slade Sweat (1for-2) and a single by Hudson loaded the bases.
Dixon followed with a run-scoring single with Sweat gunned down at the plate trying to score from second. Smallwood delivered a two-run double extending the lead to 4-0.
Ware County scored a run in the second on a two-out, first-pitch solo homer by Suess pushing the margin to 5-0.
The Gators plated four runs in the third as the margin swelled to 9-0. Dixon and Smallwood grounded consecutive one-out singles with Evan Pearson reaching on an error to load the bases.
Hooks followed with a two-run single to right with Evan Joiner (1-for-3) lacing a two-run double two pitches later to cap the inning.
Ware County scored seven runs in the fourth to mercifully end the game. Sweat and Hudson ripped back-to-back 3-2 pitches for doubles to start the inning. Dixon followed with a run-scoring single as the lead grew to 11-0.
After a walk to Smallwood and the first out of the inning, Hooks ripped a run-scoring single. A walk to Joiner loaded the bases with Cox following with a run-scoring fielder’s choice grounder for a 13-0 advantage.
Consecutive two-out walks to Sweat and Hudson forced home the next two runs. Grant Geiger followed with a pinch-hit, run-scoring single before the inning ended.
Suess (3.2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 5 K, 0 BB) was the beneficiary of the explosion. Logan Hatcher came on to get the final out.
No. 3 Gators ........................14 No. 21 Vidalia........................3
A 13-run second inning was more than enough for the Gators to turn back Vidalia.
The Indians sent eight batters to the plate in the first inning against Joiner (3 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 4 K, 3 BB, 1 HBP) scoring twice and leaving the bases loaded.
The right-hander allowed five straight batters to reach after retiring the leadoff batter on two pitches. A single and consecutive walks loaded the bases. Back-to-back base hits followed plating two runs for a 2-0 lead.
Ware County, after leaving one on base in its first at bat, sent 18 batters to the plate in the bottom of the second in scoring 13 runs.
Hudson (1-for-3) lined a leadoff double with courtesy runner Keaton Holloway racing home on Dixon’s (1-for-1) RBI single two pitches later. Dixon scored on Pearson’s (2for-2) one-out single tying the score at 2-apiece.
Pearson, after moving up on a passed ball, scored on a Hooks’ (1for-1) double.
Following the second out, the Gators had 11 consecutive batters reach. A bloop single by Cox (1-for-3) plated Hooks. Cox, who advanced to second on the throw home, scored on a Suess (2-for-2) single for a 5-2 advantage.
A single by Sweat (2-for-4) and walk to Hudson loaded the bases. Dixon followed with a walk forcing home Suess. A two-run single by Smallwood (2-for-3) extended the lead to 8-2.
Pearson followed with a two-run single pushing the advantage to 102. After consecutive walks to Hooks and Joiner loaded the bases, all three runners raced home when Cox’s fly ball was misplayed into a two-base error capping the uprising.
Vidalia threatened in the top of the third loading the bases on a hit batter, walk and infield hit before Joiner worked his way out of the jam.
The Gators plated their final run in the bottom of the fourth on backto- back, two-out doubles by Suess and Sweat to gain a 14-2 advantage.
The Indians scored a run in the top of the fifth against Sweat (2 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 4 K, 0 BB, 2 HBP).
No. 3 Gators .........................8 No. 16 Appling County...........3
BAXLEY — Ware County scored the go-ahed run in the top of the fourth inning on a passed ball en route to rallying past the Pirates for a second time.
The Gators stole a run in the first inning in taking a 1-0 lead. Joiner (1-for-5) singled to start the game and moved up one pitch later on a passed ball. Cox (2-for-3) legged out an infield hit putting runners on the corners with Joiner stealing home two pitches later.
Appling County scored twice in the bottom of the first against Dixon (5 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 4 K, 0 BB), who surrendered three consecutive oneout singles and a two-out single, the last coming after picking off the runner at first.
Ware County threatened in the third loading the bases with one out. Pearson (2-for-4) lined a leadoff single and moved up when Hooks drew a four-pitch walk. Cox reached on a one-out, sacrifice bunt before the Pirates recorded the next two outs.
The Gators took the lead in the fourth, the first of three consecutive run-scoring innings. Hudson (3-for-4) blooped a leadoff single and was removed for Holloway. Dixon followed with an infield hit with the two pulling off a double steal.
Pearson’s ensuing groundout scored Holloway to tie the game at 2-apiece. Dixon scored the go-ahead run on a two-out passed ball for a 32 lead.
Ware County scored three times in the fifth to open up a 6-2 advantage. Cox lead off the inning with an infield hit ahead of Suess (2-for-4) lining a base hit.
A one-out base knock by Hudson plated Cox for a 4-2 advantage. Suess, who advanced to third on the hit, scored on passed ball. Holloway, running for Hudson, trotted home on Dixon’s double for a 6-2 lead.
Appling got one run back in the bottom of the inning. A two-out, three-base error was followed one pitch later by a passed ball cutting the deficit to 6-3.
The Gators finished out the scoring in the top of the sixth plating two runs. Cox drew a one-out walk, stole second and third and scored on a hit by Suess, who stole second, moved to third on a wild pitch and scored on Sweat’s sacrifice fly.
