Suwannee baseball got off to a roaring start with a big win over neighbor and rival Columbia County. The score was 6-0 behind a two hit shut-out effort by junior starting pitcher Rheed Baldwin and relief appearances by Billy Moran and Ryan Stovall.

One of the main stories of the game was the amazing amount of scouts that showed up to get a look at Columbia’s 6’4″ left-handed pitcher. Some accounts list as many as 45 scouts cramming into the space in front of the concession stand with their radar guns to record the 90-plus MPH pitches of Columbia’s big gun.

Baldwin open the game for the Dogs by striking out two in the first inning and six for the game. Baldwin allowed only one hit and walked one and giving up no runs en-route to his first win of the season. Moran was equally as effective striking out two, allowing one hit and no runs in his two innings of relief. Stovall, who will close out most of the games this season, did so in style as he struck out the side to end the game.

Offensively, Suwannee was stymied all night by very good Columbia pitching in the way of left-hander Michael Kirkman. Kirkman a 6-4 lefty who throws between 88-91. There were quite a few scouts at the game looking over the field of pitchers and senior pitcher Kirkman was one of the ones they were looking at. According to Suwannee Coach Ronnie Gray, Kirkman was good. He allowed one run on no hits in his four innings of work. Austin Peters relieved Kirkman in the fifth and Suwannee put the game out of reach. The Dogs made five runs on four hits and did most of the damage in the sixth inning. Austin Peters was relieved by Craig Peters who would record the final out of the sixth.

Suwannee was lead offensively by Rheed Baldwin who delivered the biggest hit of the game with a two out, two-run double that gave Suwannee a three-run lead, a comfortable cushion to approach the seventh inning.

Ross Aretino, the junior center fielder, would also deliver a big double, scoring two that put it out of reach. Zack Davis and Billy Moran had a good offensive night as well, with each collecting a hit. Moran created havoc on the bases and set up the first run of the game by bunting Aretino to second base in the first inning.

Look for more Dog baseball on Saturday, Feb. 26. The Dogs take on Madison in a district competition at 5 p.m. That will also be the JV Dogs opening game of the season. The JV hit the field against the Madison JV at 2 p.m. Come out and enjoy a day of baseball. Go Dogs!

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