Ridgeland roughed up by Heritage

The Ridgeland Panthers began the week with 15 more games still to play in region play.

However, they definitely have some ground to make up.

The Panthers were swept by the No. 5-ranked Heritage Generals last week, putting the Black-andWhite in an 0-3 hole to begin the Region 6-AAAA portion of their schedule.

Heritage 9, Ridgeland 3

In Game 1 of a doubleheader last Wednesday, the Panthers got out to a 2-0 lead after the top of the first inning, but Heritage got a run back in the bottom of the first before adding three more in the second and five in the third to put the game away.

Lance Dockery was 2-of-4 with a double and two runs scored for the Generals, while Cole Wilcox had two hits, including a triple, and knocked in three runs.

Tanner Hill went 2-for-4 for the Panthers with a double and an RBI. Ivy Boehm also doubled, while Jordan Tucker had an RBIsingle.

Alex Barbee threw six innings to get the win for the Generals. Jalyn Shelton was touched up for nine earned runs on eight hits and six walks in 2.2 innings. He struck out just one in the loss.

Heritage 13, Ridgeland 2

In the nightcap, the Panthers once again led 2-1 after the first inning. But a six-run second inning would be followed by three-spots in the third and fourth as Heritage went on to win via the run-rule in the fifth.

Johnathan Hickman was 2-for-3 with two runs scored and four RBIs for the Generals. Bryce Bird finished with three RBIs, while Wilcox, Joseph Hill and Josh Gibson knocking in two apiece.

Hill, Boehm and Austin Delay had hits for Ridgeland. Delay was credited with an RBI.

Wilcox threw four innings to pick up the win, while Boehm took the loss after throwing just two innings. He gave up seven runs on seven hits with three strikeouts. Only one of the runs were earned.

The two teams were originally scheduled to play Game 1 last Tuesday, but the game was postponed due to rain.

Heritage 10, Ridgeland 0

Hickman finished with 10 RBIs in the series as he drove in five during a Game 3 win on Rossville on Thursday.

His two-run single in the top of the fourth extended the Heritage lead to 3-0 and he delivered a basesclearing double as part of a five-run seventh inning that blew the game wide open. Grant went 2-for-3, drove in a run and scored three times

Tripp Church picked up the win with six shutout innings of work on the hill.

Riley Harrison started for the Panthers and took the loss. He went 3.1 innings, giving up three runs on three hits with one strikeout.

Will Hodges had two of Ridgeland’s five hits, while Tucker collected a double.

Heritage (8-2, 3-0) was slated to open a three-game series against Northwest Whitfield at home on Tuesday, while Ridgeland (5-5, 0-3) will look to regroup as they begin a three-game series with Gilmer, starting Tuesday in Ellijay.