After a two-day delay, George County and Gautier finally got going in Region 8-5A action Thursday night.
The home-standing Rebels used a six run explosion in the bottom of the sixth inning to extend a 5-1 lead to 11-1 and end the game one frame early.
George County led 5-0 going into the sixth stanza, but Gautier standout Kaden Irving belted a two-out solo home run for the Gators’ lone run of the night. That blow seemed to irritate the Rebels, as they erupted for that half-dozen mark to close out the league opener for both teams.
Both Taite Davis and Broday Howell smacked two-run home runs for the Rebels in the win, while Howell had two hits in the game while Jacon Eubanks also drove in a pair of runs in the win. Tripp Lightsey had a pair of run-scoring doubles, and Gage Reeves also had a pair of hits and drove in a run. Ben Davis and Klay Fryfogle registered an RBI apiece.
Howell also picked up the win, going the distance and twirling a two-hitter while striking out 11 and walking a pair. Quincy Roberts took the loss for the Gators.
The contest was the start of a home-and-home series in region action for these two squads, as they will reconvene in the swamp Friday night. Thursday’s game was originally scheduled to take place Tuesday in Gautier, but was postponed due to inclement weather. That postponed game was rescheduled for April 18th in Gautier.
In other action on the baseball diamond in the “Southern Six” Thursday night, defending Class 1A state champion Resurrection also got league action underway after a two-day delay traveling to Lumbrton and bombing the home-standing Panthers 13-2 in Region 8-1A play.
The Eagles clawed out 10 hits in the winning attack, as Walker Frederic paved the way with a game-high three hits including a double and he also drove in a pair of runs. Justin San Miguel drove in two runs for RCS, Nicholas Watts and Cole Tingle also had a pair of hits apiece in the win with one of Tingle’s being a run-scoring double. Luke Schnoor also recorded an RBI-double, and Max Askew had a double also.
Levi Foshee earned the win on the hill with a complete game performance, scattering six hits and walking none in the five-inning affair. Resurrection scored three runs in the first to jump out to a quick lead, and then added five more runs in the third frame to extend the advantage to 8-0. Both teams scored two runs apiece in the fourth frame, before RCS ended the game with three more runs in the fifth.
Both teams resume their region opening series Friday night in Pascagoula.
