Ware County’s junior varsity entered the last week of the season riding its first two-game skid after being swept by Wayne County.
The Gators (10-5-1) had their five-game winning streak snapped Wednesday, April 2 in Jesup falling 2-1 to the Yellow Jackets. Wayne County completed the home-and-home sweep posting a 4-3 victory Thursday, April 3.
The Gators closed out their season Monday playing a doubleheader in Kingsland against Camden County.
Wayne County............................................2 Gators ........................................................1
JESUP — The Yellow Jackets scored single runs in the fourth and sixth innings and held off Ware County’s comeback bid in the seventh for the win.
The Gators, blanked on a six-hitter by Wayne County’s Bryce Wilkerson through six innings, were able to mount a scare in the seventh against reliever Max Strickland.
Trace Crosby (1-for-1) laced a first-pitch double and advanced to third on a wild pitch during a walk to Eli Watkins (1-for-2). Strickland then turned a screaming liner back to the mound into a double play.
Ryder Gilbert (1-for-3) following with a single plating Crosby cutting the lead to 2-1. Gilbert moved into scoring position on a passed ball two pitches later ahead of the final out.
Ware County threatened in the first with consecutive hits by Lucas Howard (1-for-3) and Keaton Holloway (1-for-2) to start the game. The next three batters went down in order.
The Yellow Jackets also stranded a pair of runners (walk, single) in their half of the first against Howard (5 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 4 K, 2 BB).
Brodie Burchett (1-for-3) was left stranded in the Gators’ third following a leadoff hit. Wayne County was unable to capitalize on a one-out error and single in the bottom of the frame leaving both stranded.
The Yellow Jackets broke through in the bottom of the fourth with consecutive singles and a one-out walk loading the bases. An error allowed the goahead run to race home for a 1-0 lead.
Watkins (1-for-2) led off the Ware County fifth with a single followed by three putouts.
Wayne County scored an insurance run in the sixth with two outs against Watkins (1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 K, 0 BB). A leadoff double scored on the twoout single.
Wayne County .........4 Gators......................3
Wayne County overcame a 2-0 deficit tying the game in the third, taking the lead in the fourth and adding an insurance run in the fifth to beat the homestanding Gators.
Ware County plated single runs in the first and second innings to take a 2-0 lead. Garrison Joyner (1-for-4) lined a one-out single, stole second, advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on Tanner Lairsey’s (1for-3) groundout.
Colt Cox (1-for-3) and Chaden Carter (1-for-2) opened the second with consecutive singles putting runners on the corners. Gilbert’s ensuing groundout allowed Cox to race home for a 2-0 advantage.
The Yellow Jackets tied the score with a two-run third against Trace Crosby (3.2 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 K, 5 BB, 2 WP). A single and back-to-back walks to start the inning loaded the bases. Wayne County scored one run on a 6-4-3 doubleplay followed by a run-scoring double two pitches later to even the score.
A two-out walk, wild pitch and run-scoring single gave the Yellow Jackets a 3-2 lead in the fourth inning.
The visitors added a final run in the fifth against Cox (1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 K, 1 BB, 3 WP). A two-out single kept the inning alive. Consecutive wild pitches allowed the runner to advance to third. Following a walk, a third wild pitch plated the run for a 4-2 advantage.
Ware County scored once in th bottom of the seventh and had the bases loaded when the game ended.
Carter drew a one-out, four-pitch walk ending a stretch of 11 consecutive batters retired. Gilbert reached on a two-base error putting runners at second and third.
Carter raced home four pitches later on a wild pitch. Walks to Crosby and Howard loaded the bases with two outs. A nine-pitch strikeout with five foul balls ended the game.
