LFO stumbles out of the gate as region play starts
After winning five of their last six heading into Region 6-AAA play, the LFO Warriors have seen their momentum come to a grinding halt with three losses in their first three region games.
Ringgold 10, LFO 0
The Tigers busted out the big sticks against the Warriors, belting homers in three straight innings in the run-rule victory in Fort Oglethorpe this past Thursday.
Holden Tucker also got the win on the hill for the Tigers, throwing five innings of one-hit ball. He walked just one and struck out eight LFO hitters.
Garren Mauldin suffered the loss. He lasted just two innings, allowing six runs - five earned - on four hits and three walks. He finished with four strikeouts.
Jake Bass had the lone hit for the Warriors.
The Warriors’ bid for a win over the No. 10 Jackets looked promising after a Brice Donnahoo sacrifice fly in the bottom of the sixth plated Joseph Heinrich, which tied the score a 1-1.
However, the upset was not in the cards as the Jackets pushed home a run in the top of the seventh and starting pitcher Jackson Braden made it hold up. Braden went the distance, scattering six hits and striking six, while the run he allowed was earned.
Logan Gruetter took the hard-luck loss for the Warriors. He pitched all seven innings, giving up no earned runs on three walks and just two hits with four strikeouts. LFO hurt itself with three costly errors.
Gruetter also helped himself at the plate with two hits in three at-bats. Kaleb Sowder had a double and stole a base.
The game was rained out this past Tuesday was finally played on Saturday and the Mountaineers pounded out 10 hits in a fiveinning, run-rule game in Chatsworth.
The score was tied 1-1 going into the bottom of the third when North Murray put up five runs. They added four more in the fourth and a final one in the fifth to end the game early and stay unbeaten in the region at 3-0.
Bass and Sowder had hits for LFO (7-7, 0-3). Matthew Trusley started and pitched three innings, allowing six earned runs on five hits with a walk and five strikeouts.
Another busy week will see the Warriors host Coahulla Creek on Tuesday, travel to Haralson County on Thursday and return home on Friday to face Sonoraville. All three games are slated for 5:55 p.m.