The defending state champion Gatewood Gators advanced to their fourth consecutive GIAA Class AA championship series last Friday with a doubleheader sweep in the semifinals over the Southwest Georgia (SWG) Warriors.
The Gators easily won the first game 14-2 over SWG in just four-and-a-half innings. The team’s run-rule victory came behind home runs by Walker Roberts and Caleb Riser, as well as three hits from Ames Johnson and Lawson Moore. In game one, Roberts, Riser, and Hunter Johnson also contributed three RBIs.
Lawson Wooten pitched every inning for Gatewood and allowed four hits and two runs while striking out three batters to just two walks.
In game two, John Wallace Thompson started on the mound for the Gators and allowed a lead-off home run to start the game. He bounced back nicely by striking out the next batter, but another run scored on a stolen base play at home plate. Thompson later struck out another batter to end the inning.
When the Gators came to the plate, Ames Johnson reached base in the top of the first before Roberts walked to give Gatewood its first two runners. Johnson scored on a sac fly from Jayden Moss to cut the Warriors’ lead in half before Roberts rounded the bases on a wild pitch to tie the game.
Thompson then put together three scoreless innings while striking out three batters.
In the top of the fifth, Ben Brannen hit his first home run of the season to put the score at 3-2 in Gatewood’s favor. Later in the inning, Roberts hit his third homer of the season and second of the afternoon to boost the Gators’ lead to 4-2.
Jackson Love came in to pitch in the bottom of the fifth for Gatewood with the bases loaded and allowed two runs to score on a fielder’s choice and a base hit before a flyout ended the inning.
Brannen and Ames Johnson reached base in the top of the seventh on a pair of walks, and both scored on a single by Roberts to the right field, which returned a two-run lead to the Gators.
Moore then came in to close out the game at the bottom of the seventh but soon found himself in a tight spot with the bases loaded and no outs.
Unfazed, Moore struck out the side in just 10 pitches to seal the deal with one of the most clutch performances of the season for Gatewood. Roberts led the Gators with two hits, including a solo home run and three RBIs. John Wallace Thompson pitched 4.1 innings while allowing four hits, four runs, two walks, and striking out five batters.
Jackson Love earned the win for Gatewood after allowing two hits, no runs, and striking out two Warriors batters.
The wins advanced Gatewood (19-7) to the state finals against Edmond Burke Academy (18-5), which beat Piedmont Academy 2-1 and 10-5 to reach the championship series.
Game one between the Gators and the Spartans is scheduled for 1 p.m.
Thursday at Macon’s historic Luther Williams Field. Game two will be on Friday at a time yet to be determined, but again at Luther Williams Field. Game three, if necessary, will be played sometime Saturday at the exact location.