Staff Reports
SUMITON – All baseball season, Spring Garden coach Cole Murphy felt the Panthers competed in every game they played. They did so again in Friday’s Class 1A first-round playoff series at seventh-ranked Sumiton Christian.
Spring Garden held the lead early in both games of Friday’s doubleheader, but ultimately fell short to end their season at 12-12 with a 5-4 loss in game one and a 10-5 setback in the second game.
“We didn’t achieve what we were wanting to achieve this year, but we did compete this season,” Murphy said. “Our three seniors (Cam Welsh, Reece Winstead and Braxton Haney) did a good job of coming in with good attitudes. They were ready to work and get better every day, in games and at practice. It was a lot of fun to coach them this year.
“We had a handful of younger guys step into positions and be productive in wins this year. That excites me about the future for us. We have a solid group of guys who are returning, who have a lot of potential. I just have to make sure to do my job and get that potential out on the game field.”
In game one, Berry College signee Cam Welsh suffered the loss after working six innings. He gave up three earned runs on six hits with eight strikeouts. He was also 1-for-3 at the plate with a walk and a RBI.
Clayton Sadler went 1-for-2 with a walk and a RBI. Zane Edwards was 1-for-3 with two runs. Winstead was also 1-for-3 with a run and two RBIs. Jake and John Welsh both added a hit. Haney walked and scored a run.
Spring Garden led 1-0 in the top of the third, but Sumiton (16-5) scored four runs in the bottom half of the inning to take the lead. The Panthers tallied another run in the top of the fourth and tied the game with a pair of runs in the top of the sixth, but the Eagles rallied for a run in the bottom of the sixth for the final.
In game two, Spring Garden once again took an early 1-0 lead with a run in the bottom of the first, but it was short-lived.
Sumiton struck for five runs in the top of the second. The Eagles added four more in the fourth to take a 9-1 edge in which the Panthers couldn’t recover.
Chapel Pope and Cam Welsh both posted a pair of hits. Pope scored a run and Cam Welsh also walked, scored a run and drove in one. John Welsh collected a hit, a walk and two RBIs. Edwards and Winstead both added a hit and a run. Jake Welsh scored a run.
Carson Bostick suffered the loss in the second game. He tossed 4 1/3 innings and gave up five earned runs on five hits with seven strikeouts. Winstead worked 2 1/3 innings and gave up four earned runs on two hits with four strikeouts. Hays Garmon pitched 1/3 of an inning.
Sumiton advances to next weekend’s second round where it will take on Covenant Christian, which swept Winterboro in other first-round action on Friday.