Ridgeland runs past Southeast in three-game sweep
After dropping two of three to Heritage in their initial Region 6-AAAA series of the season, the Ridgeland Panthers bounced back in fine form this past week with a much-needed sweep of Southeast Whitfield. just one batter and fanned five in four hitless innings.
The Panthers got a huge night on the mound and at the plate from Hill in a fiveinning run-rule victory at Southeast on Wednesday.
The senior smacked a two-run homer in the top of the first inning and belted a three-run jack in the third that helped stake the Panthers to an 8-0 lead. Ridgeland would add two runs in each of the next two innings, while both of Southeast’s runs came in its final at-bat.
Hill finished with five RBIs and got the win after allowing just two earned runs in five innings of work. He gave up three hits, struck out three and walked six batters.
Ball was 3-for-4 with a double, two RBIs and three runs scored. Wilson had three hits and drove in a run, while Harrison had a hit and two RBIs.
With rain and unplayable field conditions having kept the LaFayette Ramblers from playing a game since March 2, the Orange-and-Black finally stepped into Region 6-AAAA play last week and had to do so against state-ranked Northwest Whitfield.
The Bruins flexed their muscles in the three-game series, giving up just two total runs as they swept all three games. earned) on just two hits. James issued three walks and struck out five. Davis Richardson allowed two unearned runs on two hits and two walks in two innings of relief. He finished with two strikeouts.
Tennessee Tech signee Ty Fisher walked three and struck out nine for the No. 5-ranked Bruins.
In the opener of last Wednesday’s doubleheader in south Walker County, the Ramblers fell behind 4-0 in the first inning, but got two runs back in the bottom half of the inning. A single by Mann and a walk by James set the table for Richardson, who came through with an RBI-hit. Levi Pettigrew would follow up with an RBI on a fielder’s choice.
However, LaFayette would see just two more runners reach base the rest of the way. Cody Cook had a single and Vyshonn Daniel ripped a double in the seventh, but was left stranded.
Pettigrew took the loss on the mound. He gave up 10 runs on nine hits in three innings, though only two runs were earned as the Ramblers committed five errors. Pettigrew walked five batters and struck out four, while Blake and Anniston Mann also threw in relief for the home team.
Wednesday’s nightcap was another five-inning affair as the Bruins invoked the run rule, doing their damage with a seven-run third inning and a fiverun fourth.
Richardson drew a fourth-inning walk, but that would be all that Bruins’ pitcher Hank Bearden would allow as he polished off the no-hitter.
Trent Currie took the loss on the hill for LaFayette.
LaFayette (2-6, 0-3) was scheduled to play at home this Tuesday as they were slated to start a three-game series with county rival Ridgeland.