Americus-Sumter baseball loses hard-fought game to Early County

Published 5:41 pm Thursday, March 1, 2018

By David Busman

 

AMERICUS – It was a wild affair at Thomas Bell Stadium on Wednesday, February 28, between Americus-Sumter and Early County. Panthers jumped out to a 7-0 lead, but errors and inconsistent pitching hurt the Panthers as the game went on. Early County was able to come back and win 15-12. The big moment in the game came in the top of the sixth inning, when the Panthers committed an error that led to two Bobcat runs.

The Panthers scored four runs in the first and three in the second inning to take a 7-0 lead. However, the Bobcats responded. They scored a run in the top of the second on four hits. However, the real damage came in the third inning, when Early County scored nine runs on five hits and four walks.

Americus-Sumter scored three runs in their half of the fifth, but that would be the last offensive output. Early County (3-4) would score three more runs in the top of the sixth. With the Bobcats up 14-12 in the bottom of the seventh, the Panthers got the inning started off right as Kierston Harvey led off the inning with a single, but the next three batters struck out to end the game.

In spite of the loss, some Panthers had good days at the plate. Devin Hudson went 2-for-3 with two singles, and he drew two walks. Kierston Harvey went 2-for-2 with two singles, and he also drew two walks.

Braelin Williams started the game on the mound for the Panthers, but was relieved after two innings of work. Early County’s Asher White went 3-for-4 with two singles, a double and a walk.

Americus-Sumter (0-5) is still looking for their first win of the season. They will try again to get it when they travel to Irwin County on Wednesday, March 7. First pitch is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.