By Staff Reports

 

AMERICUS – Coming off a rough defeat at the hands of the Cairo Syrupmakers, the Americus-Sumter Panthers came into Thursday’s region game against Westover hoping for a victory. For a while, it looked as if victory was in their grasp. However, the Patriots scored one run in the sixth and one in the seventh to defeat ASH 5-3 on Thursday, March 29, at Thomas Bell Stadium.

It was tied 3-3 going into the top of the sixth inning. Braelin Williams was on the mound for the Panthers. He struck out Jordan Walton for the first out. Then Donovan Wright struck out swinging. However, ASH catcher Brandon Alford couldn’t handle the pitch, and Wright went to first base on a passed ball. Wright stole second, then Rodney Bullard drew a walk. Wright then advanced to third on a wild pitch. Then Wright scored on another wild pitch by Williams. The Patriots had the lead 4-3. The passed ball and the two wild pitches would prove to be costly for ASH.

After La’Borris Buchanan popped out in foul territory to Devin Hudson, Kierston Harvey was brought in to pitch to Antonio James. Harvey walked James. Fortunately for the Panthers, Nick Mitchum flew out to end the inning.

The Panthers went in order in the bottom of the sixth. With one out in the top of the seventh, the Patriots added an insurance run when Davis Spalinger hit a triple to right field. Then Kedarrius Cunningham hit a sacrifice fly, scoring Spalinger to give the Patriots a 5-3 lead. That would be all the Patriots would need.

The Panthers had a chance in the bottom of the seventh. With one out, Christian Mable singled. Then Harvey walked, putting runners at first and second with one out. However, Timothy Ethridge grounded into a double play to end the game.

Westover scored five runs on three hits and committed four errors. Americus-Sumter scored three runs on four hits and committed three errors. Braelin Williams was 2-for-3 at the plate with an RBI and he scored a run.

Williams was the starting pitcher for the Panthers and pitched extremely well. He worked 5.1 innings, giving up four runs on two hits. He walked seven, but struck out seven as well. Kierston Harvey came on in relief for Williams. Harvey worked 1.2 innings. He gave up one run on one hit, walked one and struck out none.

Davis Spalinger started on the mound for the Patriots. He worked six innings, giving up three runs on three hits. He walked none and struck out nine batters. Nick Mitchum came on in relief for Spalinger. Mitchum worked an inning, giving up no runs on one hit. He struck out one and walked one.

With the loss, the Panthers fall to 2-10 overall and 1-4 in Region 1-AAAA. They host Hardaway on Friday, March 30, at 5:30 p.m. weather permitting.