The Gatewood Gators extended their current winning streak to 10 games with a pair of non-region road wins last week over Rock Springs Christian (11-5, 3-0) in Milner and Stratford Academy (10-9, 0-4) in Macon.
Gatewood (11-2, 5-0) benefitted from two strong innings from its pitching staff.
The Gators’ pitchers combined for 23 strikeouts last week, allowing only two runs in each game. Walker Roberts started on the bump for the Gators in game one versus the Rock Springs Eagles and allowed two hits and a run on a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the first inning.
The Gators loaded the bases in the top of the second to put themselves in position to take their first lead of the game. John Wallace Thompson flew out into a double play but drove in a run from third to tie the game at 1-1.
Roberts struck out a pair of RSC batters in the bottom of the second to hold the Eagles scoreless. In the top of the fourth, Ben Brannen reached base for Gatewood on a single and scored after stealing second on a hard ground ball to left field by third basemen Wilson Moore.
Roberts had another successful inning in the fourth striking out a pair of Eagles to hold Rock Springs scoreless again. With two on in the sixth, Jayden Moss came up to bat with two runners on and one out.
Moss earned an RBI single on a fly ball to left field to extend the Gators’ lead to 3-1 before John Wallace Thompson reached base on an RBI single, scoring Wilson Moore and extending Gatewood’s lead to three.
Roberts finished his afternoon with four hits allowed, one run allowed, and six Ks in four innings of work. Lawson Wooten finished off the RSC Eagles with seven strikeouts while allowing no runs and no walks in the final three innings.
Brannen led the team in hits with two, including a double in the sixth inning, and led the Gators in runs with three. John Wallace Thompson had a team-best two RBIs on the afternoon.
Gatewood’s trip to Stratford Academy was just as successful as the Gators brought home a 3-1 victory, again over the Eagles. The pitching staff also had another strong outing with Wilson Moore pitching four innings, striking out seven batters and allowing one hit and one run.
Lawson Moore closed out the win in Macon with three innings of work, striking out three batters and allowing one hit and no runs.
Gatewood is looking to extend its win streak against a couple of strong opponents this weekend, first on the road in Newnan for a 7 p.m. start at The Heritage School (12-7, 5-3), followed by a 1 p.m. start Saturday at home in Eatonton against Bethlehem Christian (12-6, 4-0).