By Staff Reports

 

ELLAVILLE – The Schley County Wildcats Baseball Team scored two runs in the fourth and two in the fifth to complete a 4-1 victory over Taylor County Wednesday night, March 7, at Schley County High School.

In the bottom of the fourth, Cameron Vanlerberghe led off the inning with a walk. Cameron Belcher then grounded into a fielder’s choice, advancing Vanlerberghe to second. Then Wade Law stepped to the plate. Law sent one over the left field wall to give the Wildcats a 2-0 lead.

In the top of the fifth inning, the Vikings were able to get their only run of the game. After Hunter Moore grounded out, Ryan Tharpe drew a walk off the Wildcats starting pitcher Ashton Goodin. Goodin then walked Trent Bennett, advancing Tharpe to second. There were two men on with one out for the Vikings. Ezra Cummings then grounded into a fielder’s choice, advancing Bennett to second base. Carter Albritton then hit a fly ball to right field, but right fielder for Schley County made an error, allowing Bennett to score and Cummings to advance to third. The Wildcats intentionally walked Gunnar Watson, and the bases were loaded with two outs. However, the Vikings squandered their opportunity when Ezra Cummings was picked off third base by Goodin, ending the inning.

In the bottom of the fifth, Jordan Hall led off the inning with a walk for Schley County. Then Vanlerberghe singled, advancing Hall to second. Cameron Belcher then struck out looking. Jordan Hall advanced to third on a passed ball and Vanlerberghe advanced to second on the same pitch. Then Wade Law hit a hard ground ball to third baseman Hunter Moore, but Moore booted it, allowing Hall to score. Ashton Goodin then drew a walk, and the bases were loaded for the Wildcats with one out. Chance Hollomon then singled, driving in Vanlerberghe for the fourth run of the game for Schley County. The Wildcats would not score any more runs in that inning, nor for the rest of the game, but four runs were enough for victory.

Schley County Starting Pitcher Ashton Goodin took the win for the Wildcats. He pitched seven innings, allowing one run on two hits and striking out five.

Matthew Deloach started the game for the Vikings. He allowed five hits and four runs over four innings, and struck out seven. Gunnar Watson and Ezra Cummings came into the game from the bullpen. Watson pitched one and two-thirds innings, and Cummings pitched one-third of an inning.

Schley County earned six hits total. Camron Vanlerberghe and Chance Hollomon each collected two hits on the night for the Wildcats. Wade Law went 1-for-3 with a homer and three RBIs.

With the win, Schley County improves to 6-1 overall and 4-0 in Region 4 Class A play. The Wildcats will host Marion County in a rivalry game Friday night, March 9, at 6 p.m.