By Staff Reports

 

OCILLA – The Panthers committed one error in the first inning, which allowed the Irwin County Indians to score a run. Unfortunately for Americus-Sumter, it went down-hill from there as Irwin County defeated the Panthers 12-2 Wednesday, March 7, at Irwin County High School.

The Indians scored two more runs in the bottom of the first, then two more in the second to go up 5-0. The Indians added another run in the bottom of the fourth.

Americus-Sumter finally got on the board in the top of the fifth inning as they scored two runs.

With a runner on first, Christian Mable belted a double, moving the runner over to third. Kierston Harvey then singled to drive in the Panthers’ first run of the game, and advancing Mable to third. Timothy Ethridge then flew out to right field, but it wasn’t deep enough to score Mable from third. Devin Hudson then lined out to the second baseman, keeping Mable at third and Harvey at first with two outs. Braelin Williams then singled to drive in Mable, but that would be all the runs that the Panthers would score as Brandon Alford flew out to end the inning.

The Indians scored three more runs in the bottom of the sixth to complete the scoring. Americus-Sumter scored two runs on five hits, but committed five errors, which proved costly in this game. Kodie Spires and Tucker Paulk were instrumental for Irwin County in that they both Spires and Paulk drove in runs on singles in the bottom of the sixth. The Indians scored 12 runs on nine hits and committed no errors.

Will Hudson got the win for Irwin County. Hudson allowed five hits and two runs over six innings. He struck out six Panther batters.

Brandon Alford started on the mound for Americus-Sumter. He allowed two hits and five runs over two and a third innings and struck out two. Both Kierston Harvey and Timothy Ethridge entered the game from the bullpen, throwing two and two-thirds innings and one-third of an inning respectively.

Christian Mable led Americus-Sumter by going 2-for-3 on the night. Spires, Paulk and Reid Fletcher all had two hits each to lead the Indians’ offense. The Panthers have one win on the season, a 3-1 victory over St. Anne-Pacelli on Monday, March 5. They will try for their second victory of the season when they host Carver-Columbus on Friday, March 9. First pitch is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.