Liberty County High School on Friday had been looking to avenge last week’s baseball loss to Bradwell Institute, but it didn’t happen. Instead, the Tigers team claimed a 10-0 shutout win at home over the Panthers. The game ended in the sixth inning.
Bradwell also introduced its newly hired head football coach, Greg Hill, to the crowd. The former Georgia Southern University Eagle quarterback threw the ceremonial first pitch of the game.
The Tigers had a 2-0 lead by the second inning and extended it in the fourth inning with solid performances at bat that produced six runs.
The Bradwell boys then added two runs in the bottom of the sixth to seal the victory.
Liberty twice had runners in scoring position, but solid pitching from the Tigers closed the innings and left Panther runners stranded on base.
Each team went through at least three pitchers.
Jacari Roberts started on the mound for the Panthers and was relieved by Gary Albertson in the fifth. In the final inning, Parker Neely took the mound.
For the Tigers, Ryan Desbiens opened the game. The sophomore pitcher faced 12 batters, walked two, struck out two and allowed one hit.
Tiger freshman Evan Crystal took the mound in the fourth inning. He faced 11 batters, earning five strikeouts. He walked one and allowed two hits. Senior Chris Nunn came into the game to finish the sixth, facing one Panther and getting the strikeout.
Three fielding errors by the Panthers in the fourth inning accounted for two Tiger runs on steals.
Junior Tiger Chris Bell led the Bradwell batters, going 4-for-4 with a double and three RBIs. Stephon Felton was 3-of-4 with one RBI. Hunter Jackson was 2-of-4 with two RBIs, and Ryan Desbiens was 2-of-4 with one RBI.
The final pitching and batting stats for the Panthers had not been posted by press time.
The Tigers were scheduled to rematch Charlton County on Saturday in Folkston. Results from that game were not available by press time. The Tiger boys are 2-2.
The Panther boys are 1-4 and will host Savannah Country Day at 5 p.m. Monday.