Panthers rally to take Game 3 from Northwest
The Ridgeland Panthers have been mathematically eliminated from the playoff chase in Region 7-AAAA.
But that doesn’t mean they still can’t have a say in who gets in.
Ridgeland will play a final three-game region series against Pickens this week. The Dragons are currently in a four-way tie with Heritage, Central-Carroll and Northwest for second place in the region with a 9-6 record. Each team has three region games remaining.
Southeast has completed its region slate and is also out of the running for a playoff berth, while Cedartown (132) has already clinched a second consecutive 7-AAAA title.
NORTHWEST 9, RIDGELAND 1
The Bruins scored four times in the top of the third inning to break open a one-run game on their way to a victory at Ridgeland last Tuesday night.
The Panthers’ only run came in the bottom of the second inning. Hayden Brewer drew a walk and Dyllan Curtis singled before a fielder’s choice moved both runners up 90 feet. Ethan Waters then grounded out to bring in Brewer and cut the Bruins’ advantage to 2-1.
Hudson Couch, Austyn Acuff and Hunter Medrano had singles for Ridgeland. Couch also drew three walks and stole two bases.
Waters pitched the first 2.1 innings and gave up six runs, though only three were earned. He allowed seven hits and issued four walks, while striking out one. Curtis Wells pitched 4.2 innings of relief. He allowed three walks and five hits and struck out two batters. All three runs he gave up were earned.
NORTHWEST 12, RIDGELAND 0
The Panthers dropped the first game of a Friday doubleheader in Tunnel Hill as the Bruins scored seven times in the bottom of the first inning on their way to a five-inning victory.
Acuff had a double for Ridgeland, but it was the only hit the contest for the visitors.
Waters allowed seven hits and four walks in 2.1 innings on the hill. He finished with one strikeout, while Medrano gave up two runs, one earned, on one hit and two walks in 1.2 innings of relief. He also finished with one strikeout.
RIDGELAND 6, NORTHWEST 4
RBI-singles by Acuff and Dakota Stone in the top of the second inning staked Ridgeland to an early lead. Couch scored later in the inning on a passed ball.
The Panthers maintained the lead until the bottom of the seventh when the Bruins scored one run to tie things up and send it to extras.
Both teams missed opportunities to score in the seventh and eighth innings, but in the top of the ninth, Couch delivered a double and Stone came through with a one-out RBI-single before Wells belted a two-run homer to put the Panthers back in front by two.
Northwest loaded the bases with two outs in the bottom of the ninth and got a run after a hit batsman. However, Wells would get the final out to seal the win.
He pitched 2.1 innings of relief, giving up one earned run on two hits and two walks with three strikeouts. Brewer started the game and struck out nine and walked five in 6.2 innings. He allowed three earned runs on five hits.
Wells went 3 for 5 and had a double to go with his homerun, while Curtis also doubled and drew a pair of walks. Acuff finished the game 2 for 5 at the plate.
Ridgeland (8-14, 4-11) will host Game 1 with Pickens on Tuesday. There will be a 5 p.m. pre-game ceremony in which the club will honor the 1999 team that captured the region championship and advanced to the Elite Eight of the playoffs.
The final two games will be played as a doubleheader on Friday in Jasper.