AMERICUS – Americus-Sumter left fielder Christian Mable went 3-for-4 at the plate and scored three runs to lead the Panthers past Marion County 10-7 Monday, April 16, at Thomas Bell Stadium.

“Last Thursday, we gave up a lead late against Jordan and ended up losing the game,” ASH head coach Howie Shackelford said. “When that happens to kids at the high school level, and then it starts to happen in the following game to where they’re starting on a run in the last inning, that gets in their mind. I thought we did a good job of shutting them down. It was nice to know that going into our region tournament that we are seeing improvement in all aspects of our game right now.”

The Eagles jumped on the board first, scoring two runs in the first inning. However, the Panthers responded in their half of the inning. Mable led off with a single and eventually scored to cut the deficit to 2-1. In the bottom of the third, the Panthers scored three runs on three hits and took advantage of three walks. At that point, ASH led 4-2. After the first inning, ASH starting pitcher Braelin Williams pitched four scoreless innings. During that time, the Panthers increased their lead in the bottom of the fourth as they scored two more runs on three hits. In the bottom of the fifth, they added to their lead by scoring two more runs to take an 8-2 lead.

Marion County responded in the top of the sixth by scoring two runs to cut the Panthers’ lead to 8-4.  However, Americus-Sumter responded with two more runs in the bottom of the sixth to increase their lead to 10-4.

Things nearly fell apart for Americus-Sumter in the top of the seventh inning as the Eagles scored three runs, but Timothy Etheridge, who came on in relief of Williams in the sixth, was able to get the final three outs to seal the 10-7 victory.

With the win, ASH improves to 4-14 on the season and 2-7 in Region 1-AAAA. Marion County falls to 8-15 overall on their season.