Lowndes outlasts Valdosta to open final regional series

Published 1:28 pm Wednesday, April 9, 2025

VALDOSTA— The first game of the regional series between Lowndes and Valdosta had fans on the edge of their seats, ending dramatically as the Vikings took the game after eight tense innings.

After seven innings of dominant pitching and tight defense on the Wildcats’ home field, the game exploded in the top of the 8th when Lowndes capitalized on a pitching change to break a 0-0 deadlock, scoring four critical runs and surviving a late Valdosta surge in the bottom of the inning.

Both starting pitchers were stellar from the start. Lowndes’ Brinson Rountree was nearly untouchable, allowing just one hit through seven innings and striking out nine. Not to be outdone, Valdosta’s Brooks Carter also delivered a strong performance, going seven innings with only two hits and one earned run, walking seven but striking out five. The two athletes kept their hometown rival at bay throughout seven innings. Only when the relievers came in during the eighth did the game turn into a dash for victory on both sides.

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Lowndes’ offense broke through in the 8th with a combination of walks and small ball. The rally began with a walk to Matthew Kerrigan followed by a hit-by-pitch, single, and three bases-loaded walks. A sacrifice fly by Tyler Parker drove in what would become the winning run.

Down by four heading into the bottom of the 8th, Valdosta showed they were still in this fight. A single by Turner Samples, followed by three straight walks, cut the lead to 4-1. A sacrifice fly by Noah Roberts and an RBI single from Easton Lehman brought the score to 4-3. But Lowndes’ reliever Drew Inman held firm, retiring Ricky Reynolds on a flyout to right field to seal the victory.

With that victory, Lowndes’ Vikings are now the region champions, aiming to complete their remaining games before heading to the postseason. Valdosta achieved its goal in this final regional series of staying competitive and keeping the Vikings scoreless until the eighth inning.

The series will continue on Friday as the two teams move across town to the Vikings’ home field for the final two games.