Washington County swept Putnam County last Friday to advance to the second round of the state playoffs.
The Golden Hawks’ pitching staff exhibited dominance, limiting the War Eagles to just two runs over two games.
Washington County started Ty Mobley on the mound for game one, and he hurled a gem. The Auburn commit was in control the entire game, allowing just one run on six hits with 10 strikeouts and only two walks.
Mobley kept Putnam County hitters off-balance with a mix of pitches. The 6-foot-7 right-hander rotated between his four-seam fastball, curveball, and off-speed change-up to shut down the War Eagles.
Putnam County head coach Stephen Phillips gave Mobley credit.
“He’s a very solid baseball player,” Phillips said. “He’s a big specimen who stands on the mound and throws strikes.”
The War Eagles had early opportunities to score but couldn’t capitalize. With runners on second and third and no outs in the third, they failed to bring anyone home. Mobley escaped the jam unscathed, providing Washington County with some momentum. The Golden Hawks then responded by scoring two runs shortly after.
Putnam County faced the same situation in the fourth, but once again, didn’t score as Mobley struck out the side.
“When you work yourself out of a jam like that, emotions can start to run high for the pitcher and the team, and they responded by scoring two,” Phillips said.
“In the fourth inning, we had the same situation, second and third with nobody out. Same thing. They struck out the side and didn’t give up anything. So again, it put momentum back on their side, and we just didn’t take advantage of opportunities.”
Washington County added two more runs in the fourth and fifth innings to lead 6-0. The Golden Hawks ultimately won the first game 7-1, fueled by Mobley’s strong pitching performance.
Wyatt Johnston made the start for the War Eagles, lasting 4.1 innings. He gave up six runs, four of which were earned, on seven hits with four strikeouts and seven walks. Wyatt Sims finished the game, giving up only one run.
Jackson Dodd went 2-for-3 at the plate for a War Eagle offense that struggled against Mobley.
Game two of the doubleheader was similar to the first.
Washington County won 8-1 to take the series and advance to the second round of the state playoffs.
The Golden Hawks got a 6.1-inning performance from Mack May, who was two outs away from pitching a complete game. The junior allowed six hits but gave up only one earned run, with nine strikeouts and two walks.
Putnam County trailed 3-0 after two innings and never recovered. The War Eagles scored their only run in the seventh off May before he was relieved of his duties by Brayden Lanthrip, who finished the game.
Again, Putnam County struggled on the mound. The War Eagles’ staff gave up only five hits but walked 15 batters.
Phillips said it was the small details, such as walks and failing to score with runners in scoring position, that cost his team.
“When you get to the playoffs, every team’s a solid team,” Phillips said. “That’s why [Washington County] is in the playoffs, and if you don’t execute the little things, those little things come back to bite you at the end.”