From Staff Reports
MOULTRIE — The Sumter Stallions jumped out to an 8-0 lead against Grady County in the GRPA District semifinals before holding on for a 16-15 win Tuesday night in Moultrie.
The Stallions played in the championship Wednesday night.
Grady County answered in the third with six runs, but Sumter responded with eight in the bottom half of the inning for a 16-6 lead.
Grady inched closer by scoring three runs in the fourth and six in the fifth to pull with in a run. Sumter stranded five on base the next two innings, opening the door for Grady to possibly tie in the sixth.
But with two outs and the tying run on third, pitcher Allen Gleeson induced a ground ball out to end the game.
“It was not our best effort in the field, but it is a win,” said coach Marty McDonald.
Mike Russell pitched the first two innings, and Gleeson finished it, going the last four striking out four to record the win.
“Our pitching has been our strong point all year, but right now some of them have tender arms, and we are being real careful not to over pitch anyone. Mike Russell is working his way back into form, and Allen has really worked hard to fill in his slot.”
Thomas Welch paced the offense with three hits, including a grand slam and double. Gleeson had three hits, including a double; and Hunter Weldon had three hits. Russell and Cason Fort had two hits; Geoffrey McDonald added a double, and three others had hits.
