The talk leading up to Game 1 between 16th-seeded Ringgold and top-seeded Morgan County on Thursday centered around whether or not the Tigers' bats could catch up to Bulldogs' junior, Ty Tillery, a strong-armed ace that's already committed to Georgia.
As it turned out, Ringgold handled Tillery well. However, they would still come up a run short on the final scoreboard before the Bulldogs took control in the nightcap to end the Class AA second-round series in two games.
MORGAN COUNTY 5, RINGGOLD 4
The Bulldog faithful probably weren't expecting a nail-biter in Game 1, but that's exactly what they got.
Ringgold struck for four runs off Tillery in the top of the second to grab the lead. Loading the bases on a single, an error and a hit batsman, Haddon Fries ripped a two-run double and Garrett Edgar singled in a run, while Fries later scored to end the frame.
Morgan County cut the lead in half with two in the bottom of the third, tied things up with two more an inning later and the game would eventually move into the bottom of the seventh, still knotted at 4-4.
However, a one-out walk and a stolen base got the Bulldogs in scoring position for Jack Whitlow, who singled to left to bring in the game-winning run.
Rhett Blankenship went 3 for 3 for Ringgold and Edgar went 2 for 4 to account for five of the Tigers' six hits. Tillery struck out 10 Ringgold hitters.
Wesley Blair went 5.2 innings, allowed four hits and three walks with three strikeouts. Only two of the runs he gave up were earned. Eli Crew came into pitch in the sixth.
MORGAN COUNTY 8, RINGGOLD 0
Unfortunately, the Bulldogs took the momentum from the last-inning victory and rode it into Game 2. After two scoreless innings to start, they plated runs in each of final five frames and finished with 12 hits.
The Tigers had just two hits, but still had two good scoring chances in the game.
Ringgold loaded the bases on two walks and an error in the bottom of the third, but a pop-up to second base and a 6-3 putout got the Bulldogs out of the jam.
Then in the fifth, Braydon Sylar doubled and Fries drew a walk. Both runners moved into scoring position on a sac bunt by Edgar, but a strikeout and a flyout to right ended the threat.
Blankenship added a single, while Edgar walked twice and stole a base.
Jackson Black threw six innings and gave up five earned with a walk and three strikeouts, while Sylar threw an inning in relief.
Morgan County is now 28-5, while Ringgold ended its season with an 18-13 overall record.
Scott Herpst is sports editor for the Walker County Messenger in LaFayette, Ga., and Catoosa County News in Ringgold, Ga.
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