TCHS Opens New Complex
The Lady Bulldogs softball team of Toombs County High School picked up two wins last week as they defeated Swainsboro and Bacon County. They fell to rival Vidalia on Tuesday. It was also a big week for TCHS as they opened up their new softball and baseball complex, and did it in style with a win over Swainsboro.
The complex includes new baseball and softball fields, a new running track, locker rooms, coach offices, an indoor hitting facility, concession stand and press box.
Superintendent Barry Waller said at the opening of the new complex, “There is not a better complex in at least 60 miles and not a better one in AA. We thank all of our board members, and it is just great for our school and community and something everyone should be proud of.”
Athletic Director Bill Benton stated, “I want to thank Barry and the board of education for their vision. This was going to be part of the new school but at that time we couldn't get it done. But they came back to this and this and The Pit was all in the one plan. We are so excited to see this for our kids, for our fans, and for the community. Our kids deserve the best and this is as good as it gets.”
TCHS vs. Vidalia
A couple of errors by the Indians early brought a run in when Arlie Gooden came in for Toombs County to put them on top 1-0. Hits by Rilyn Fitzgerald and Zia Griffin put runners at the corners but that was all that TCHS could get across.
Krista Cantwell was in the circle for the Bulldogs and kept the Indians off the board for the first two innings, but in the third inning the Indians got the bats going and scored five runs to jump in front 5-1.
The Indians added two more runs in the fourth inning to lead the game 7-1. Toombs loaded the bases in the top of the fifth inning and got a run on an error to make the score 7-2.
That was all the Bulldogs could get as they fell to Vidalia 7-2.
TCHS vs. Swainsboro This was the opening day for the new TCHS sports complex, and it was a good day for the Bulldogs. Swainsboro got on the board first with three runs in the top of the first inning. TCHS got a run in the bottom of the inning as Gooden got a double and then was hit in on a fielder's choice. That was all TCHS got in the first inning.
Swainsboro added to their lead in the third inning with a run to go ahead 4-1. continued from page
Toombs pulled away for good with six runs in the fourth inning. In the fourth an error scored two runs for TCHS as they closed it to 4-3. They tied the game when a run came in on another error by the Tigers. Gooden added a 2-run triple as Toombs jumped ahead 6-4. One more run scored on a hit by Cantwell to give the Bulldogs a 7-1 lead.
Toombs picked up one more run in the sixth inning, and then held Swainsboro to two runs in the top of the seventh inning to get the win, 8-6.
Gooden got the win in the circle with Cantwell coming in to relieve her.
TCHS vs. Bacon
Krista Cantwell didn't allow a single run against Bacon Co., throwing a complete game shutout and leading Toombs to an 8-0 victory on Saturday.
Toombs took a 2-0 lead in the second inning, and then they put up three runs in the fifth inning. KK Mobley and Gooden each had RBI's in the big inning to give the Bulldogs a 5-0 lead. Toombs added three more runs in the fifth inning including a home run by Fitzgerald, the first in the new complex, to close out the game by the run rule, 8-0. Cantwell pitched Toombs to victory. Cantwell lasted five innings, allowing three hits and zero runs. This week Toombs was at Bacon on Tuesday after presstime and will be back in action on Wednesday at West Laurens at 4:30 p.m. for a double header against the Raiders. They will then play Jeff Davis on the road on Thursday at 6:00 p.m.
Riley Lumley chases down a soft hit ball in the infield for a big out during the opening game at the new Toombs County Sports Complex.Photo by Mike Branch
