Chris Whitaker
ALBANY — For the second time this week, Southland did damage in the early innings before shutting down.
But this time, the Raiders lost the lead.
Southland built a 5-0 lead after two innings, but George Walton rallied for a 10-5 win on Saturday at Deerfield-Windsor.
Brandon Ray led the Raiders (1-1) with two hits and a RBI-double, but Southland struck out eight times. Southland was out-hit 9-6.
“We started out hitting their No. 1 guy, and I don’t know if he settled down or what happened,” said coach Tim Goodin. “We were up 5-0 and didn’t get a hit the rest of the game. We just quit hitting.”
Ray, Ryan Johnson and Collin Holloway all had RBI-doubles in the first inning as Southland built a 4-0 lead. It led 5-0 when the Bulldogs began their comeback.
George Walton scored three runs in the third, sixth and seventh innings.
“I told them after the game we had to get ahead and have that killer instinct and stay on top,” said Goodin. “We had a chance to win, but a couple of errors opened the floodgates up.”
Zach Poulliot started on the mound, going 2.1 innings and allowing one run on two hits with three strikeouts and a walk. Ryan Johnson faced four batters, but failed to get an out, walking three and hitting one.
Allen Maples pitched 4.1 innings and allowed seven runs — two earned — on six hits with three strikeouts, three walks and a hit batter. Jake Hood got the final out.
Tripp Sheppard pitched five innings for the Bulldogs, striking out seven. He helped his cause with two hits, including a double and RBI. Ty Shellnutt and Derek Duggs both had two hits and doubles, with Duggs driving in three runs and Shellnutt two.
Southland travels to Stratford on Tuesday with varsity starting at 6:30 p.m.
