Raiders shut out Valwood in low-scoring affair
Published 12:58 pm Monday, April 22, 2024
- Southland Academy centerfielder Luke Tarrer is seen here scoring one of the Raiders’ three runs against Valwood. Photo by Ken Gustafson
|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
AMERICUS – After their 8-1 victory over Marion County in Buena Vista the day before, the Southland Academy Raiders (SAR) came into their region match up with Valwood poised for a win. Thanks to the strong pitching of Travis Pennington and some errors committed by the Valiants, the Raiders were able to come out with a 3-0 win on Friday, April 19, at the Southland Academy baseball complex.
“I thought it was a well-pitched game on both sides,” SAR Head Coach Blaze Hargrove said. “Travis pitched his butt off for us and really came through. Their guy did a really good job of keeping us off balance. We struggled at the plate today. We manufactured some runs early and that proved to be the difference. It was a really good team win today.”
Pennington went the distance for the Raiders. He pitched seven scoreless innings, giving up five hits with two walks and two strikeouts. The Raiders were only able to put together four hits in the game, as Perry Usher, Travis Pennington, Luke Tarrer and Thomas Fowler each had a hit.
Southland Academy catcher Will Godwin is seen here competing for the Raiders.
Photo by Ken Gustason
The Raiders scored two runs in the bottom of the second inning. With one out, Luke Tarrer doubled to centerfield and would advance to third on a passed ball. Trey Sellers then reached on an error that allowed Tarrer to score. Shortly thereafter, Perry Bennett reached on an error that allowed Sellers to score.
Then in the bottom of the fifth inning, with one out, Thomas Fowler hit a double to left field and would later advance to third on a passed ball. Mac McMichael would then hit a sacrifice fly to centerfield that would allow Fowler to score.
In spite of the win, the Raiders’ offense had a difficult time against Valwood starting pitcher Camden Crump. In six innings of work, Crump gave up three runs on four hits and tallied six strikeouts.
The Raiders are 11-6 overall and are tied with Valwood for third place at 5-4 in the GIAA Region 3-AAA standings. SAR will travel down to Damascus, GA on Monday to take on Southwest Georgia Academy. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m. They will then close out the regular season at home against Tiftarea Academy on Wednesday. First pitch for that game is scheduled for 4 p.m.
