Bulldogs Drop 2 To Pirates

Courtesy of TCHS

The Toombs County High School Bulldogs baseball team took on the Pirates of Appling County in a big Region series last week, with Toombs and Appling vying for the top spot in Region 3AA. Toombs dropped the first two games of the series, but picked up a close win in the third game. That puts Appling at #1 in the Region with Toombs sitting in a close second place.

Game 1

The Toombs County Bulldogs fell short against the Pirates on Thursday, dropping the game by a score of 5-0.

In what was a pitching dual through five innings, the Pirates erupted for five-runs in the bottom of the fifth inning that was ingnited by a Collin Ewaldsen solo home run that sailed over the right-field wall.

Trayvone Harris shouldered the loss for Toombs County, surrendering five runs on five hits in five innings pitched. Tray thew five strong innings to start the game, but things unravelled to some extent after the solo homerun.

Offensively, the Bulldogs struggled to find their rhythm against Dayson Griffis. Jesus Quintero, Cameron Ledford, and TJ Stanley managed to scrape together a single hit apiece, but that was all the Dawgs could muster. There was a moment in the game where the Bulldogs could take an early lead, but the Pirates’ defense turned a crucial double play to stifle a potential rally. The series continues on Friday with the Bulldogs facing the Pirates in a double header. The first game will start at 4pm and the game two will start after the completion of the first game. Be sure to come out and support the Dawgs as they close out the series.

Game 2

The Toombs County Bulldogs Baseball team (12-7 overall, 6-3 region) split their doubleheader against the Pirates on Friday, dropping the first game 5-1 before bouncing back to win the nightcap 1- 0.

The Toombs County bats struggled to find traction in the opening game, as they managed just four hits against Appling County’s Collin Ewaldsen. The Bulldogs got on the board in the first inning after a Bulldog reached on an error, allowing a run to score. However, Appling County answered back in the top of the second when Ewaldsen lined a single that plated two runs, giving the Pirates a 2-1 lead they wouldn’t relinquish.

Tucker Braddy led the Toombs County offense with a two-hit game, but the Bulldogs were unable to string together enough hits to overcome Ewaldsen’s dominance.

TJ Stanley got the start for the Dogs and went five innings giving up 2 runs on six hits. Stanley finished the day with 9 strikeouts. Ryder Sears came in for relief and pitched 2 innings giving up 3 runs on four hits.

Game 3

The nightcap was a pitcher’s battle, with both Brantley Upshaw of Toombs County and Ty Hutchinson of Appling County putting on a dazzling display. Upshaw emerged victorious, striking out a staggering 12 batters over seven scoreless innings.

The lone run of the game came in the bottom of the fifth inning. After a double by Tyson Brantley, Trayvone Harris would single him home. Toombs County’s defense was flawless behind Upshaw, not committing a single error.

The Bulldogs’ offense was limited, but they did enough to secure the win. Harris led the way with an RBI single, while Jesus Quintero, Jackson Jenkins, and Tyson Brantley each added a hit.

Upshaw finished the game giving up 3 hits, no walks and striking out 12 Pirate batters.

This week the Bulldogs will take on the Herons of Brantley County in a three-game Region series. The first game was on Tuesday after presstime. They will be back in action on Thursday in Lyons at 5:45 p.m., and will wrap up the series in Nahunta on Friday at 6:00 p.m.