Bulldogs take over first place in region

Entering last week, the Bulldogs were a game behind region leader Screven Co. ECI moved ahead of the Gamecocks winning both games to take a one game lead in the region.

Before this week’s games, the Bulldogs are currently 11-1 in region with Screven in second at 10-2. Bryan Co. and Metter enter the week with a 9-3 region record. Those teams will be the 1-4 seeds in the state playoffs. Region championship and seeding order will be determined over the next couple of weeks.

The Bulldogs, with 4 region games left, are in the driver’s seat having the tie breaker over Screven, Bryan Co. and Metter. The Bulldogs defeated the Gamecocks at home in the first game of the series last Tuesday. Trailing 4-2 in the third inning, the Bulldogs tied the game, plating 2 runs in the bottom of the third. With one on in the third, Jackson Kennedy singled. Ab Marsh moved both runners in scoring position on a sac bunt. James Parker’s single plated Bryson Thompson and Kennedy scored on a dropped third strike throw to tie the game at 4-4 in the third inning. The Bulldogs loaded the bases to begin the fourth. Bryson Thompson cleared the base paths on a double to center to put ECI up 7-4. Thompson scored later in the inning on a fielders’ choice to extend the lead to 8-4. The game remained scoreless the rest of the way with ECI winning the first game of the Gamecocks 8-4. Bryson Thompson led the Dawgs at the plate with 3 hits and 3 RBI. Gabe Lee and Jackson Kennedy were the other multiple hitters with 2 each. Kennedy pitched the first 2-1/3 innings giving up 6 hits. Jud Underwood pitched the remainder of the game allowing just 3 hits while striking out 3 Gamecock batters.

The Bulldogs spent Friday evening in Sylvania for the second game of the series with the region lead still on the line. The Gamecocks jumped out to a 5-0 lead after 3 innings. The Bulldogs’ never give up attitude was on display as ECI got off the deck and scored 9 runs over the next 3 innings to take a 9-6 lead into the bottom of the seventh inning. Closer Tuff Boddiford and his defense sat them down in order in the bottom of the seventh to preserve the 9-6 win and the lead in the region. Kennedy had another 2 hits game with 2 doubles and 4 RBI to lead the Bulldog batters. Tuff Boddiford and Kanyon Thompson ended the day with 2 hits each. James Parker toed the rubber for 2-2/3 innings giving up 6 hits to begin the game. Bryson Thompson relieved Parker giving up just one hit in his 3-1/3 innings of work. Tuff Boddiford closed the game in the seventh with zeros across the board.

In between the 2 region games with the Gamecocks, the Bulldogs hosted Bleckley Co. in a midweek non-region game. ECI saw playoff pitching during the game. The Royals pitcher limited the Bulldogs to just 2 hits during the game. The only run of the game came in the top of the third inning on an error by the Bulldogs to give Bleckley a 1-0 win.

The Bulldogs have 4 region games left in the season. They will have 2 games this week against Claxton and will close out the region schedule next week with two against the Portal Panthers.