The Richmond Hill Wildcats mounted two rallies, but came up short Friday night against region rival Liberty County High School in Hinesville.
The Wildcats lost to the Panthers 8-4, dropping their Region 2A-AAAA record to 0-2. Liberty' region record is 1-0 and 3-2 overall. The Wildcats overall record is 3-3.
Liberty County right handed senior Joe Watkins picked up the win, hitting his mark and keeping the batters guessing until the sixth inning when Kevin Mathews, David Katzman and Jaylen Reyes all got hits, scoring two.
The Wildcats also scored two in the first, but both crossed home plate when a bloop fly by Nathan Ward hid in the sun long enough to fool the fielders.
Overall the Wildcats got six hits. They sent only three hitters to the plate in the second, fourth and fifth innings. Four in the third, when Kevin Davis picked up a double. Errors and pass ball also plagued Richmond Hill.
Watkins completed the game with 15 strikeouts, allowing only one walk. In two separate innings the Georgia Southern-bound hurler finished off the side with only 10 pitches each.
The loss went to the Wildcats' lefty Billy Kilmer, who went five of six innings. He picked up 9 K's. Ryan Esenwein finished the sixth. The Panthers didn't bat in the seventh.
Top Panther batters included seniors Brandon Whitmore and Trey Sikes both hit towering homeruns.