The Gatewood baseball team has done it again.
The Gators secured their third consecutive GIAA Class AA state championship last week, defeating the Southwest Georgia Academy Warriors at Synovus Park in Columbus.
Gatewood head coach Brandon Moss said he was proud of his players, who proved once more they have what it takes to win while also enjoying the process.
“Any season of any sport that you play, you start with the goal of winning a championship. Regardless of the talent that you have on your team, the goal should always be to win,” Moss said. “However, once the pomp and circumstance and elation of winning have passed, I think the most important memories, striking out seven batters and giving up zero hits.
The following day, Roberts pitched six innings, allowing six hits, two runs, and three walks while striking out five batters. Reliever Lawson Moore closed out game two by striking out two batters and allowing zero hits in the seventh inning.
Meanwhile, Gatewood’s bats stayed hot all series long, as the offense delivered three home runs in the two games. The Gators totaled 25 hits and drove in a combined 18 runs with 16 RBIs against the Warriors. They also had seven extra base hits in one of their better offensive performances this season.
In game one, Roberts led Gatewood’s offense with three RBIs and a home run. Ames Johnson also hit a home run, along with two hits and two RBIs on the afternoon.
In game two, Ames Johnson again impressed by going 3-for-4 with another home run. Moore, Drew Love, and Jayden Moss each had multi-hit games, too, with Moss contributing two doubles and driving in a pair of runs.
As game two ended, Coach Moss got to see his players “hug and celebrate” as he took it all in.
“I appreciate how special this time is in regard to the history of our program,” he said, recognizing his senior group had gone to the final round in each of their four years of high school, falling short of a championship only the first time there.
Gatewood will lose a large class of seniors this year, Moss acknowledged, but added that he remains confident in the program's future.
“We are excited about this young group, as much as we were with this group that just graduated when they were young,” Moss said. “While their style of play is much different than the group that just graduated, the talent is no doubt just as deep.”