Liberty County High School’s baseball team topped McIntosh County Academy, 12-7, on Wednesday afternoon in a summer game at Panther Field.
The nine-inning game was part of the Panthers’ summertime efforts to stay baseball-ready for the fall season.
It is only the second time in the last several years that the Panthers participated in summer baseball, but second-year head coach Tony Glazer said it is necessary as the team seeks to improve on last season’s 3-18 record.
“We are trying to get better and placing more of an emphasis on year-round training … we’ve made improvements … it may not have showed last year, but we kept getting much better as the season went on. The boys are working hard,” Glazer said.
The Panthers scored five runs in the bottom of the first inning to set the tone. Liberty added another run in the bottom of the second when Aric Albertson scored on a wild pitch.
The Panthers missed an opportunity to drive in more runs in the third inning when they left the bases loaded.
Liberty extended its lead to 7-0 when Jacari Roberts drove in a run in the fourth inning.
MCA twice loaded the bases but was unable to score. The visitors finally notched three runs in the sixth inning, but Liberty answered with two runs.
In the bottom of the seventh, the Panthers extended their lead on Hunter Miller’s two-run single. Albertson stole home to close the inning with the home team up, 12-3.
MCA started connecting bat to ball in the final inning, but the rally fell short.
The Panthers’ Quindon Montgomery pitched three innings, Roberts pitched five, and Miller closed the game with one inning of work.
Glazer said the Panthers did well and made minimal mistakes.
The coach said a few players still are on summer vacation, but are expected to return in time for fall ball, which starts the second week of July.
He said those currently attending summer ball have one more week of activities before they go on break the week of the Fourth of July.
“Our boys are doing speed training on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, and on Mondays and Wednesdays, we are practicing and lifting weights,” Glazer said. “Last year, it was more about the fundamentals. This year, we are building on those and our other skills.”