Suwannee baseball hosted Taylor County in a crucial district battle Thursday, April 21. The Dogs mercy-ruled the hapless Taylor County Bulldogs, winning in the fifth inning 11-1.

It was another Rheed Baldwin home run that ended the game. Baldwin homered against Madison to break a tie in extra innings and again against Taylor. Baldwin hit a three-run home run to end the game.

Mark Radford started on the mound for Suwannee. Radford pitched a tough game. He struck out numerous batters and gave up only one run which was scored in the first inning.

Suwannee got off to a fast start. Ross Aretino hit the first pitch of the game over the right-center field fence for a home run. Aretino was 4-5 on the day. Billy Moran followed Aretino’s home run with a double. Ryan Stovall singled and drove Moran in. The inning ended with the Dogs up 2-1.

Matt Yanossy made a great catch in left center field for the first out of the second inning. Aretino made a good catch in center and Zack Davis caught one and threw it to Michael Keene on first for the final out of the inning.

Keene was the lead off hitter for the second inning. He singled into left field. Taylor Abercrombie lined one into left field for a base hit. Yanossy singled, but Abercrombie was forced out at second. Aretino, up again, singled to drive in Keene. Stovall doubled driving in Yanossy. Rheed Baldwin walked to load the bases. Aretino stole home for the fifth run of the game.

Right about here, Taylor trotted out a new pitcher and he retired the side.

In the top of the third, Radford turned up the heat striking out three and giving up one base hit.

Yanossy got a base hit to start the third for the Dogs. Aretino singled. Stovall drove in Yanossy and Baldwin drove in Aretino to make the score 7-1 going into the fourth inning.

Radford caught an infield bunt and threw to Keene at first for the first out of the fourth. Then Aretino made an unbelievable diving catch in right center for another out.

Suwannee added another run to their total in the fourth. Keene singled into his favorite spot in left field and Yanossy hit a double to drive him in.

Radford struck out two in the fifth. Stovall at short stop made a great catch and throw to first for another out.

Suwannee capped off the game in the bottom of the fifth. Moran got a basehit off a first base error. Stovall got on with another Taylor error. Then Baldwin smacked his game-ending, three-run homer.

Suwannee meets Bishop Kenny in Jacksonville Thursday, April 28 for the last game of the season. The district tournament is May 2 at Florida High in Tallahassee. The first game starts at 4 p.m. The championship district match will be on Thursday, May 5 at 7 p.m. at Florida High.

Janet Schrader-Seccafico may be reached by calling 1/386/362-1734 ext. 134 or by e-mail at janet.schrader@gaflnews.com.