Gatewood’s baseball team split its first two meetings last Monday and Wednesday in a late-season four-game series against Pinewood, earning a 7-5 win in Eatonton before dropping a 4-3 decision in Bellville.
The Gators’ pitching rotation continued to shine in Game 1, with Ben Pearson working 6.2 innings, allowing six hits and two earned runs while striking out seven. Blake Brannen came on in relief and recorded the final out with a six-pitch strikeout.
Gatewood’s offense matched its pitching effort, collecting 11 hits and drawing six walks. Ben Brannen and Lawson Moore each finished with three hits, with Moore driving in two runs and scoring once. Brannen added three runs scored, while Jayden Moss contributed two hits and three RBIs.
In Game 2, Moore took the mound and held Pinewood to just two hits over four innings. The Patriots, however, scored three unearned runs during his outing. The deciding run came in the sixth inning when Moss allowed his only run of the afternoon.
Gatewood mounted a late push in the top of the seventh when Pearson connected for a solo home run, but the rally fell short in the one-run loss. Despite the split, Gators head coach Brandon Moss said he was encouraged by his team’s performance.
“I thought we played well,” he said. “We had a chance to take both games. I also thought we pitched really well.”
Before the playoffs begin, Gatewood has three regular-season games remaining. The Gators visited Bellville on Tuesday (past press time) for another matchup with Pinewood, then host the Patriots Thursday at 5 p.m., before traveling Friday to Macon for a final meeting with First Presbyterian Day.
Moss said he hopes to see continued growth from his team in the closing stretch.
“I’d like to see us stay competitive and maybe increase our aggression a little these last few games,” he said. “With them (Pinewood and FPD) not affecting rankings, it’s a great opportunity to take an aggressive approach and not worry so much about the win or the loss.”
The Gators will also await the winner of the Brentwood vs. Briarwood GIAA Class AA state baseball playoff series set for May 8–9. Regardless of the outcome, Gatewood’s playoff series is scheduled to begin May 15 in Eatonton.