Valdosta Daily Times

Local Sports

February 22, 2013

Rebels rally for 4-3 win over Bulldogs

VALDOSTA — Berrien’s baseball team rallied from a 3-0 deficit to defeat Taylor County (Fla.) 4-3 on Thursday evening.

Dalton McMillan raced home on an error in the bottom of the seventh to give the Rebels a 4-3 win on the fourth day of the Wildcat Invitational at Valdosta High School.

With the score tied 3-3, Berrien’s Hunter Garrett started the bottom of the seventh with a single, but was forced out at second on McMillan’s ground ball. Taylor pitcher Daniel Wentworth retired the next batter for the second out, but Logan Balkcom singled to center. Then Wentworth’s defense betrayed him. Caleb Rowland hit a soft line drive towards the hole, but the shortstop couldn’t make the catch, and the bases were loaded. That brought Travis Branham to the plate.

Branham hit a ground ball towards third, and the third baseman went to field the ball. But he didn’t get his glove down far enough, and the ball rolled under his glove and into left field. McMillan ran home to score the winning run.

Berrien scored four runs in the final two innings to earn the win.

The first five innings belonged to Taylor. Bulldogs starter Dylan Harty shut out the Rebels, and his team built a 3-0 lead.

Taylor took the lead with a run in the second. Harty drew a walk to start the inning, then courtesy runner Wyatt Russell stole second. One out later, Andrew McBride lined a single to center. Russell scored easily, giving the Bulldogs a 1-0 lead. Taylor had two men on with two outs, but Balkcom struck out Daniel Dudley to end the inning.

The Bulldogs added to their lead with a run in the third. Leading off the inning, Chance Rodgers drove a pitch to deep center field. He took off running as soon as he got out of the batter’s box, and sprinted all the way to third with a triple. Then when Balkcom uncorked a wild pitch, Rodgers raced home to give Taylor a 2-0 lead.

With one out in the fifth, Wentworth blasted a pitch over the left field fence, which gave the Bulldogs a 3-0 lead.

But Berrien’s offense finally broke through in the sixth. With one out, Harty struck out McMillan, but the third strike got by the catcher and went to the backstop, and McMillan ran to first. Shawn Witt ripped a double into the gap in left center, putting runners on second and third. Then Balkcom drove a pitch over the right fielder’s head. The ball went to the fence, and McMillan and Witt scored, cutting Taylor’s lead to 3-2. At that point, Taylor went to the bullpen, and brought in Justin Folsom to pitch.

Folsom fanned Rowland for the second out, but then he hit Joe McCranie with a pitch on a full count and walked Devonte Bass, the Rebels’ ninth hitter, loading the bases. Wentworth replaced Folsom on the mound, and walked Dalton Ingram to force in a run, tying the score at 3-3. But with the bases still loaded, Wentworth struck out Taylor Griner to end the inning.

Then Berrien won the game with a run in the seventh.

Garrett pitched two shutout innings of relief to earn the win. He also went 2 for 4 at the plate. Balkcom was 2 for 3 and drove in two runs. Witt went 2 for 4 and scored a run.

The Wildcat Invitational continues today. Howard will play Madison County (Fla.) at 4 p.m. and Valdosta at 6:30 p.m. at Valdosta’s Bazemore Field. Ringgold will face Pope at 6:30 p.m. at Lowndes High School.

Text Only
Local Sports
  • Braves1.jpg Medlen, Chris Johnson lead Braves past Mets 5-3

    Chris Johnson homered for the first time in more than a month, Kris Medlen overcame a defensive blunder and the Atlanta Braves bounced back from a doubleheader sweep, beating the New York Mets 5-3 Wednesday night.

    June 19, 2013 1 Photo

  • Georgia Sparks Georgia Sparks win championship in Orlando

    The Georgia Sparks Basketball Teams traveled to Orlando, Florida to compete in Spring Fling 2 Super Region Tournament which took place at Disney Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando. This was a busy weekend for the Sparks as they had three teams and over 30 parents.

    June 19, 2013 1 Photo

  • 52nd Annual Valdosta Open tees off

    The Boys and Girls Club of Valdosta and the Valdosta Country Club are hosting the 52nd annual Valdosta Open June 29-30.

    June 19, 2013

  • GSC Awards Ceremony

    The Gulf South Conference is proud to announce its 17th annual GSC “Top Ten” Award winners.

    June 18, 2013

  • 2013 Georgia Sparks Spring Fling 2 Champions Georgia Sparks win championship in Orlando

    The Georgia Sparks Basketball Teams traveled to Orlando, Florida to compete in Spring Fling 2 Super Region Tournament which took place at Disney Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando. This was a busy weekend for the Sparks which brought three teams and over 30 parents.

    June 18, 2013 1 Photo

  • Manu Ginobili sparks Spurs to Game 5 win

    Manu Ginobili ran onto the floor as fans stood and screamed.
    He went to the bench, and they chanted his name.
    The sights and sounds of so many San Antonio spring nights were back Sunday night — and the real party might be just a few days away.
    Ginobili broke out of a slump in a big way with 24 points and 10 assists in his first start of the season, and the Spurs beat the Miami Heat 114-104 to take a 3-2 lead in the NBA Finals.

    June 17, 2013

  • 2013 South Georgia Diamond Brawl

    The Lowndes Vikings baseball team is set to host the 16th Annual South Georgia Diamond Brawl, featuring 19 teams playing 28 games across four fields.

    June 16, 2013

  • 130614-Jaguars_Caravan001.JPG Jaguars Caravan 2013

    The Jackonsivlle Jaguars’ caravan made a stop at the Valdosta Mall Saturday for their second visit in as many years.

    June 16, 2013 1 Photo

  • US Open Golf_Rodg.jpg Stormy weather halts play during US Open 1st round

     Phil Mickelson rolled a birdie attempt 8 feet past the hole at No. 11. Steve Stricker did the same at No. 12. Bogey. Bogey.
    And that wasn’t even the stormy part.

    June 13, 2013 1 Photo

  • Stanley Cup Bruins Bl_Rodg.jpg Blackhawks beat Bruins 4-3 in 3OT Cup opener

    The Chicago Blackhawks know all about Andrew Shaw’s reputation around the league. They also know the pesky little forward is so much more than just another irritant for opposing players.

    June 13, 2013 1 Photo

Blazers Blog
Top Sports News
More
Community Calendar
Loading…
Events by eviesays.com