It was a week of growing pains for Gatewood, which suffered three consecutive losses after a 3-0 start.
The Gators fell 8-2 at Augusta Christian last Monday, then dropped a heartbreaker on the road against rival Piedmont on Tuesday, losing 3-2 on a walk-off in the bottom of the seventh. They then returned home last Friday but fell 11-2 to Athens Christian, after trailing by just one run heading into the sixth inning.
“Definitely some rough losses. It’s just a great reminder of how tough the last three outs of a game can be, especially close games on the road,” head coach Brandon Moss said. “It highlights the importance of capitalizing on scoring opportunities throughout the game and not letting off the gas pedal just because you have a lead.
“Also, we really need to clean up defensively. Far too many free chances were given to the opposing team. Most any team is going to score runs against you when you are having to consistently get four and five outs in an inning due to errors.”
Gatewood committed a season-tying four errors in the team’s walk-off loss to Augusta Christian last Monday, a bullpen game that featured five pitchers taking the mound.
On the trip to Piedmont, ace Lawson Moore delivered possibly the best single-game performance by a Gatewood pitcher since the program’s inception in the early 1980s. Moore struck out a school-record 17 batters, walked four, and allowed just three hits and one run over six dominant innings.
Unfortunately, Piedmont walked it off in the bottom of the seventh, scoring two runs on a double to take the 3-2 win.
“Tuesday night at Piedmont was so special to watch,” Moss said. “In all honesty, I’ve never let a player throw that many pitches this early in the season since I’ve been coaching.
“However, I also believe that when a player has a chance to do something truly special, and make a lasting memory, that that’s really what the game is all about.”
Moss added that Moore’s outing was the most dominant performance he has ever seen from a high school pitcher. Looking ahead, he hopes the Gators can come together as a team and bring more energy to the field.
“I’m ready to see our team come together and start to be a little more cohesive,” Moss said. “It’s understandable that that has been a challenge due to having key guys out last week, but even still, the unity hasn’t been where it needs to be, and neither has the energy. Hopefully, some region play will spark that.”
According to Moss, Gatewood will still be without key player Ben Brannen for most of the week, but is hopeful that he will return on Friday. Moss didn’t confirm whether Moore will return this week after he missed playing time against Athens Christian last Friday.
The Gators will begin region play on the road again, this time at Trinity Christian (Dublin) on Tuesday. The Crusaders opened the season 3-1, including a quality 10-4 win over Treutlen, one of the best teams in GHSA Class A Division II.
Gatewood will have two days off after Tuesday before hosting the Crusaders on Friday at 6:00 p.m. at the Walter C. Rocker Baseball Complex. Next week, the Gators begin a road slate Monday at Tatnall Square Academy in Macon.