Thursday, 3/14.  The Wildcats handed 2nd-year head coach Hill Thomas his signature win to this point in his young career.  The Cats defeated the current #1 ranked and defending 2023 GHSA State Champion, Lowndes County High School, by a score of 5-0.  Senior lefty, Bryce Hendricks, was phenomenal on the mound, pitching a seven-inning complete shutout, allowing only five hits, striking out six, and not allowing a runner past second base.  Hendricks was also perfect at the plate going two for two, and scoring a run.  Third baseman, Grant Wagner, hit a three-run bomb in the first inning to get the rally started.  The Wildcat defense was also exceptional, not committing any errors.

In the nightcap, the second game today, the Vikings out-hit the Cats 10-3 and defeated the Cats (6-8, 1-2), 11-0, in five-innings.  Lowndes' pitcher, Matthew Kerrigan, struck out six and only walked one.  Fletcher, Lewis, Sirmans, and Jaramillo each had two hits for the (13-3, 2-1) Vikings.  

Coach Hill’s reflection on this past week’s region series opener with Lowndes County, “Very proud of our team today, we may not have won the series but we bounced back after an unfortunate lose on Tuesday in a game we played the best ball for 5 1/3 innings. We showed in the first game Friday that we have what it takes to compete on the highest level. Our coaching staff has believed in this team from day 1 and for the first time this year I saw them believe in themselves. We took one on the chin in game 2 today, and at the end of the day we’re going to have to have some arms step up with Monty and Eli injured. I’m proud of our guys. Lowndes is the number #1 team in 7A and we competed with them. There’s always growth that can take place but as a program we’re going to enjoy our small victories on our path to achieving our goals.”

Next Week

Mon., 3/18, vs. Glynn Academy, 6 p.m.

Wed., 3/20, at Glynn Academy, 6 p.m.

Fri., 3/22, vs. Glynn Academy, 6 p.m.

Allen Cox is a baseball contributor for the Bryan County News. He was previously head coach of Richmond Hill High School's softball team from 2004-2007.