It was a tough game. Suwannee ran through four pitchers trying to keep Columbia from scoring. The Dogs had a 3-1 lead until the sixth inning when a base-clearing double tied the game at 3-3. It looked like extra innings when Billy Moran came in to pitch in the seventh and held the Tigers scoreless. But Suwannee was able to pull out the win in the seventh inning and the final score was 7-3 Dogs.



Don Wainwright started on the mound for Suwannee. Columbia scored one run in the first when Wainwright got into trouble. The Dogs were able to score one in the first as well when Garrett Brown scored off a Columbia throwing error.



Wainwright held Columbia scoreless in the second and the Dogs put two on the board. Michael Keene drew a walk and Matt Yanossy got things rolling with a hard driving single to center. The center fielder missed the ball and there were two men on. Ross Aretino hit a sacrifice fly that almost went out of the park to advance the runners. Wainwright then hit a base-clearing single to send the score to 3-1.



Columbia showed some great fielding to hold the Dogs in check through the next five innings, while Suwannee ran through several pitchers trying to do the same. Wainwright hung on into the fourth. Nick Reppert came in as relief in the fifth and came in to pitch in the sixth but got into some trouble and was replaced by Michael Keene. Keene gave up a double that scored the tying runs and Suwannee went into the seventh inning tied with Columbia 3-3.



Billy Moran pitched the seventh, giving up no runs. As the Dogs came up to bat, it looked like the game might go into extra innings.



But Suwannee’s bats came alive in the seventh. The Columbia pitcher quickly got into trouble when Aretino singled into left field. Wainwright stepped up to bat and singled into right center. Brown walked to load the bases and the Tiger coach came out to talk to his pitcher. He should have relieved him . . . but he didn’t.



Billy Moran stepped up to the plate and smacked a grand slam homer over the left field fence! The Suwannee fans erupted. The players rushed out on the field. The game was over. Suwannee took Columbia to the cleaners in the seventh 7-3.



The game that was scheduled for tonight against Hamilton County was played last night. Look for the complete story in Wednesday’s paper. The Dogs will be playing in the district playoffs next week at the Madison High School baseball field. Suwannee plays on day two, Tuesday, May 4 at 4 p.m. The Dogs will take on the winner of Monday’s game between East Gadsden and Florida High. The Bulldogs need you. Come out and support them in their effort to knock Florida High off their district-championship streak. Go Dogs!