A win over Starkville Academy and Hatley to close the previous week had everyone involved with Winston Academy baseball thrilled heading into a new week, but the Patriots were brought down the earth last week.
Playing a three-game set against East Rankin Academy with a chance to clinch the playoffs, the Patriots took a step back losing two of three games. ERA hosted a double header and took the first game 5-4 while WA split with a 10-3 win in game two. On Thursday, WA couldn’t come through with enough big hits down the stretch and dropped a 10-inning game at home, 3-2.
In the first contest, ERA needed just the third and fourth innings to get the job done as WA lost by a run. Dalton Powell had two hits in the game and Aiden Fancher drove in two runs on a double but it wasn’t enough. Powell also pitched and struck out nine batters with six hits and five runs surrendered.
WA bounced back in a big way in game two scoring runs in four of the seven innings and rolling to a 10-3 win. Hayze Gregory had two hits and Camden Sanders drove in two RBI with a double while Powell walked three times. Sanders started the game and pitched 2.0 innings with two hits, two earned runs, three walks and five strikeouts and then Gregory came in to pitch the final 5.0 frames, scatter just two hits, one walk, no runs and overpower the batters for nine strikeouts.
In the all-important rubber matchup in Louisvile on Thursday night, WA did its job on the mound and defensively for eight innings. Winston allowed two runs in the fourth and then held ERA scoreless for the next five innings. A run in the seventh inning by WA tied the game up but they were never able to score again in the 3-2 loss in 10 frames.
Brylee Wall kept the game close going a strong 9.0 innings, scattering five hits and no earned runs, giving up one walk and striking out10. Fancher pitched the 10th inning and gave up the go ahead run but struck out the side. The offense couldn’t back up the pitching.
Both teams had six hits but ERA got the one that mattered. Max Fulcher got two base knocks to lead the way.
Losing the series makes for a huge week for the Patriots as they’re trying to get into the playoffs with the best seed possible. The rival Leake Academy Rebels will be coming to town on Tuesday for a two-game series and then Thursday the return trip will be made to Madden. WA enters with a 19-9record as the Patriots have notched the winningest series in the last decade but they have more work to do.
