Staff Reports

SPRING GARDEN – An 11-run first inning helped propel the Spring Garden Panthers to a 19-1 Class 1A, Area 12 baseball win over Faith Christian in five innings on Thursday. The win clinched a spot in the state playoffs for the Panthers.

Spring Garden collected 13 hits in the game, led by leadoff hitter Joel Hunter’s 3-for-3 performance at the plate. Hunter had a double, a walk, four runs and a RBI. Clayton Sadler went 2-for-2 with a home run, a walk, two runs and two RBIs. Connor Bates also had a pair of hits with a walk and three RBIs.

Grey Simpson doubled, walked, scored a run and had a RBI. Hayes Garmon collected a hit, three walks, a run and a RBI. Carson Bostick delivered a hit, two runs and two RBIs. Brady Ruark contributed a hit, two runs and a RBI. Johnny Baker and Noah Barber both had a hit and scored a run apiece.

Zane Edwards walked twice, scored a run and had two RBIs. John Welsh walked and scored three runs. Hunter Parris finished with a run and a RBI.

Garmon earned the win on the mound. He tossed all five innings and gave up an unearned run on a pair of hits with a walk and 11 strikeouts.

Spring Garden hosts Gaylesville beginning on Tuesday at 4 p.m. in a best-of-three game series with the area championship on the line. Games two and three (if necessary) are at Gaylesville on Thursday beginning at 4 p.m.