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Tigers cruise to 11-3 win over Long County
AltonMalpass
Alton Malpass makes a catch off a hit to deep center in the Tigers 11-3 win over Long County on Monday in Hinesville. - photo by Phgoto by Patty Leon

 

Neighboring county rivals took the field Monday at the Tigers’ diamond, where Bradwell Institute beat Long County, 11-3.

The Tigers scored first after two Blue Tide errors put Garrett McCorkle and Matt Brown on base in the bottom of the second inning. Tigers pitcher Eric Wells bunted to advance the runners, and Jacob Dill singled in two runs.

In the bottom of the third inning, Leonard Felton drove in Alton Malpass with a hit to deep left field. McCorkle scored Felton with a hit, and Dill managed another RBI with a hit just beyond the Tide’s shortstop. Rogers drove in a run to put BI up, 6-0, at the end of the third.

In the bottom of the fourth, Josh Driggers doubled and McCorkle singled. Nick Snyder took his first at-bat of the game and smacked the ball over the second baseman’s head for an RBI. Rogers then drove in another run.

For the first four innings, Wells controlled the mound, tossing 49 pitches and allowing only three hits and no runs.

 

Pitcher Jacob Turner started for Long County, giving up 10 hits and eight runs before Jonathan Flynn came in midway through the bottom of the fourth. The Tigers had two runners on base, and Flynn walked Dill to load the bases. Rogers hit one down the third-base line for two RBIs and gave BI a 10-0 lead heading into the top of the fifth inning.

Sensing the urgency of a possible run-rule game, the Tide took their at-bats against freshman relief pitcher Cody Hill, who tossed the remainder of the game.

In the top of the seventh inning, Tide batter Kyle Sapwell smacked a two-run homer. The Tigers added a run in the bottom of the inning.

Hill finished the game giving up three runs on four hits.

Although pleased with the win, Tigers baseball coach Rhett Hellgren said he wants his team to continue improving.

"Four errors against Camden would probably be a loss, so we have to be better than that," he said. "We finally looked like we were having fun, and it showed with the results on the scoreboard."

He said players have gotten his message and are hitting the ball toward the ground.

The Tigers are 4-2 overall and 3-0 in Region 3-AAAAA with their biggest challenge to date coming up this Friday as they travel to Camden County. They also were scheduled to play Beach Tuesday afternoon.

Tide coach Brian Thomas said his team lacked focus. Last Friday, his Blue Tide team managed to hold Toombs County, ranked No. 4 in Class AA, to a mere four runs.

"The difference between the game between Toombs and the game last night is the fact that we were not as focused," he said. "And when you do that, good teams will beat you."

The Blue Tide are 3-7 overall and 0-4 in Region 2-AA. They were scheduled to play Appling on Tuesdsay and will host McIntosh Academy at 6 p.m. Friday.

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