Big win. Big confidence booster. All that and more one would have to surmise would be Perry’s take on its 4-3 victory over Mary Persons.
The Bulldogs came in 5-1 in Region 2-AAAA. The Panthers were 2-4. Worse for them, was a six-game losing streak hanging over their heads.
Bryce Morgan helped changed that. He went seven innings, scattered five hits, didn’t walk a hitter and struck out five. He worked around an error in the outfield that allowed the runner to make it all the way to third to start the game. He stranded the leadoff runner in the third and the first two reaching in the fourth.
The Bulldogs did get the leadoff runner in the second home, but the Panthers answered that with three runs in the bottom half of the inning. Clayton Davis (0-0) walked. He was replaced with pinch runner Vincent Glover. Andrew Tarrer (2-3) attempted to bunt him around, but one, it was a great bunt and two, the fielder got a late jump. He ended up safe with an infield single. Chase Padgett (0-3) followed suit with another bunt, but his made it past the first baseman and into right field. Glover and Tarrer scored. Padgett ended up second and came home on Peyton Sells’ single up the middle.
Another leadoff error by Perry – both teams had two – coupled with a pair of singles allowed Mary Persons to tie it in the fourth.
The Panthers again answered, however, in the bottom half. With one out, Sells reached on an error. Christian Valdivia (1-3) singled to get him to third where Jackson Farrell (0-3) hit a deep fly to left to get him home.
Morgan was facing off against Austin Benson. He, too, worked a complete game and also gave up five hits. He only struck our three, however, but he did go on to set down the next seven. Not to be done, however, Morgan retired the next eight.
SCOREBOARD:
Thomas County Central 9, Warner Robins 1
Thomas County Central 9, Warner Robins 4
Valdosta 8, Northside 0
Valdosta 5, Northside 0
Houston County 12, Coffee 2
Houston County 11, Coffee 1
