Putnam County upset No. 3 Washington County at home in Eatonton on Monday, led by Gates Lanzarone and Hunter Holder.
The War Eagles blanked the Golden Hawks, winning 6-0 to improve to 12-11 overall and 11-1 in region play.
“(Washington County) is ranked for a reason,” Putnam head coach Mike Phiel said. “They do everything really well.”
Holder pitched a complete game shutout, giving up just four hits and one walk with nine strikeouts. Lanzarone, who recently returned from injury, went 3-for-4 at the plate with three RBIs and a run scored in the win.
Phiel was impressed by Holder’s ability to shut out one of Class 2A’s hottest offenses but said this wasn’t his only great performance. The senior already had solid outings against Thomson and Westside of Augusta.
“What Hunter Holder has been able to do this year with a shutout against Washington County tonight, giving up one run against Thomson, and limiting Westside to one run is nothing short of incredible,” Phiel said. “To go 3-0 against the three best teams in the region is special.
"I can’t remember a pitcher I’ve coached that’s done that. What he did tonight was special, especially because it was Senior Night. I’m proud.”
Holder brought his A-game and didn’t give Washington County many free bases. The Golden Hawks did get four hits and reach base twice due to errors, but when faced with adversity, Holder battled back to get the necessary outs.
His ability to keep the Golden Hawks scoreless helped light a fire under Putnam County’s offense, especially in the third and fourth innings. The War Eagles plated three runs each in those frames, which ended up being the only runs scored.
Lanzarone hit a two-out double to left field, scoring Branan Griffin and Jackson Dodd in the third. The sophomore then crossed the plate two at-bats later when Ethan Whatley reached base safely on an infield single.
As Putnam County now led 3-0, Holder was dominant in the fourth inning and picked up three more strikeouts. The War Eagles’ followed up in the bottom half of the frame by putting two of the first three batters on base.
A wild pitch then moved Holder and Mark Winslette into scoring position. Holder proceeded to score on a balk, moving Winslette to third base, who next crossed the plate on a hard-hit ground ball from Tanner Lukens.
Putnam County scored its final run a few batters later when Lanzarone slapped his second double in less than two innings to left field, bringing around Griffin to extend the War Eagles’ lead to 6-0.
Holder retired nine of the next 11 Washington hitters to secure the big upset. The senior finished the game at 100 pitches, with 64 of them going for strikes against the Golden Hawks.
“(Gates Lanzarone) completes us. When you can slot in a guy at shortstop, he’s a natural. He’s developed and worked hard but has a natural ability to play shortstop … he helps everybody else play the best at the positions they’re at,” Phiel said. “He completes our defense and extends our lineup.”
Putnam County will close out its regular season with two road games at Washington County and Westside this week. The War Eagles were in first place in the league standings after Monday but need to win out to secure the Region 4-AA championship and top seed going into the playoffs. They also could end up in second or third place.
Regardless, Phiel was happy to see his team come together heading into its final two games.
“I’m kind of at a loss for words with how well we played,” he said. “It was a complete game from us.”