VALDOSTA— Lowndes Varsity Baseball kicked off its regional schedule with a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Richmond Hill on Tuesday. Strong pitching performances and key defensive plays helped the Vikings hold off a late push from the Wildcats to secure their first regional win.

Heath Davis got to work early for Lowndes, delivering a strong opener on the mound. Davis pitched 3.1 innings, only allowing one run on four hits while striking out five. Drew Inman stepped to the mound for relief, closing out the game with 3.2 innings pitched. Inman gave up one run on two hits and had five strikeouts of his own.

Richmond Hill’s pitching struggled with control early, as starter Aiden Pluff lasted three innings, surrendering three runs on two hits while walking six. Landon Walker provided stability out of the bullpen, holding Lowndes scoreless over the final three innings.

After two defensive innings, Lowndes broke through in the third. Cason Fletcher led off with a walk, followed by a hit-by-pitch and another walk to load the bases. Noah Burnham then delivered a crucial two-run pop fly to right field, giving the Vikings an early lead. Westin Hancock followed with a fly ball to right field, pushing Lowndes ahead 3-0.

Richmond Hill responded in the fourth when Eli Howard doubled and later scored on a single by Colby Tanner, cutting the deficit to 3-1. Lowndes’ defense shined in the sixth inning when catcher Lane Pridgen threw out T Gilbert in an attempt to steal second. In the seventh, Richmond Hill’s L Johnson made things interesting with a solo home run to left field, trimming the lead to 3-2. However, Inman kept his composure, forcing a ground out to take the game.

The Vikings will travel to Richmond Hill on Friday to finish the set in a doubleheader.