Dragons complete sweep to stay on pace for region crown
Ƈ Pepperell wins third game vs. county foe and sets up potential clincher next week
As the Pepperell Dragons eye a chance to clinch a second straight region title this coming week, they took care of their final bit of business vs. county foe Armuchee on Friday, using a focused effort offensively, defensively and on the pitcher’s mound to complete a three-game sweep with a 10-3 road win.
Pepperell (24-2, 14-1 in 7-A Division I) got seven strong innings from Will York for the complete-game effort while the offense built an early lead and steadily added on with aggressive baserunning and timely hits to pull away for the victory, which followed a sweep of a doubleheader on Monday at Pepperell that included 5-0 and 10-0 wins.
With that series wrapped up, the Dragons will now focus on their final region set of the year this week against Trion as they will head into it needing just one win to secure back-to-back region championships.
“Every year you look ahead before the season and the first goal you have is to go win a region title. For our guys to have a shot to do that this next week is a great feeling,” said Pepperell head coach Chad Brown. “I know how hard our kids have worked all the way back to August. I know the other teams in this region have worked hard too, but I get to see personally every day what kind of effort and fight our kids put into it. That’s all you can ask for as a coach, and now it’s about going and seeing what we can do with that opportunity.”
After a scoreless first on Friday, Pepperell was able to string together a solid rally in the top of the second, scoring four runs on just two hits in the frame as the patient approach at the plate led to five walks. Coupled with the Dragons aggressive baserunning, the visitors grabbed the momentum and a 4-0 lead heading to the bottom of the second.
Pepperell wasn’t satisfied with that fourrun cushion, however, and added two more in the third and two in the fifth to go up 8-0 before a final two-run frame in the top of the seventh sent the game to the final halfinning with the Dragons ahead 10-0.
That was plenty of run support for the righty starter York who was able to keep Armuchee off balance for much of the afternoon. York got in a few jams throughout the game but made big pitches to get out of them with no damage before the Indians (9-16, 5-10) were able to finally string some quality at-bats together in the seventh and score three runs.
It was too little, too late, however as York finished off the complete game with a groundout. In all, he pitched seven innings and allowed three runs (one earned) on six hits with two strikeouts and five walks.
“I just love the art of what (Will) does on the mound. It’s three different pitches, and it’s in, out, up, down, changing speeds. When he’s on, I couldn’t imagine standing in the box against him and trying to hit that,” said Brown. “He battled for us today. He gave up some hits and walks here and there, but he was able to get outs and limit runners moving up. He’s just so well-rounded and really good at his craft, and I’m happy he’s on our side.”
At the plate, Pepperell was led by JP Kilgo with two hits and three RBIS. Kaleb Davis, Hunter Godfrey and Layton Sanford each added a hit and an RBI while Tucker Glenn and Sam Ross each drove in a run as well.
For Armuchee Ben Owens had a pair of hits, Jackson Coonley added a double and Kohen Terry came through with a pinchhit, RBI single in the seventh. Luke Lively and Blaine Ragland each had a hit as well.
On the mound, Lively took the loss after pitching 1 2/3 innings and allowing four runs on two hits with three strikeouts and five walks. Coonley came on in relief and went 3 1/3 innings and allowed four runs (three earned) on two hits with two walks, two hit-by-pitches and two strikeouts.
Cohen Sprayberry was the third Indian to come in to pitch and went two innings while giving up two runs on three hits with three strikeouts and two walks.
Pepperell will now battle Trion in its final region series, which starts on Tuesday at Trion at 5:30 p.m. Game 2 will be Thursday at Pepperell at 5:45 p.m. and the series will wrap up back at Trion on Friday at 5:30 p.m.
Brown said he’s pleased to get another region series sweep, but his team also has some improvements to be made to correct some parts of the game.
“We’re doing an excellent job running the bases. We’re getting bunts down and stealing bases, and really forcing the action. But at the same time, we’re making some bad reads and not really knowing what to look for sometimes,” said Brown. “I’ll say this. I’m proud of the way we keep finding ways to win games, but I’m also glad we have a lot to coach up at our next practice.”
Armuchee heads into the final week of region play with its destiny for the postseason in its own hands as well. The Indians can clinch a playoff berth with a sweep of Dade County, but with one loss in the series would need some help elsewhere.
Armuchee will open the series on Tuesday at Dade County at 5:30 p.m. Game 2 will be Thursday at Armuchee at 5:30 p.m., and the two teams will then wrap up the set on Friday back at Dade County a 5:30 p.m.