The Gatewood Gators officially became Region 2-AA baseball champs last week when Piedmont defeated Westminster Christian to end region play for the season.
The Gators went 1-2 last week, losing to non-region opponents Class AAAA Bethlehem Christian Academy and Class AAA Stratford Academy. They were able to finish the week successfully last Thursday, though, on Gatewood's Senior Night with a 5-1 win at home over Briarwood Academy.
Gatewood had senior Lawson Wooten start on the mound and he made quick work of the Buccaneer batters, getting three straight outs to open the first inning.
Gatewood scored in the bottom of the first inning following a Caleb Riser single, a stolen second base by Riser, a passed ball that let Riser reach third base, and Riser stealing home for the game’s first run.
A Briarwood error then gave the Gators a 2-0 lead with Ames Johnson reaching first and Walker Roberts scoring. A strikeout would end the inning but another quick inning on defense for Gatewood kept the score at 2- 0.
The Gators had a scoreless second inning, but Briarwood got going in the third after a single scored a Bucs run to cut the Gators’ lead in half.
Gatewood started the bottom of the third with Ben Brannen hitting a single, followed by Riser grounding out but advancing Brannen to second base. A Walker Roberts single sent Brannen home after an error on a Bucs throw to the infield. Walker Roberts then pounded a two-run homer in the fifth to boost the Gators to a 5-1 lead and sealed the victory.
Roberts went 2-for-3 at the plate, including a home run and three RBIs. Senior Wooten pitched six innings while striking out four batters and allowing four hits and only one run. Roberts pitched one inning of relief and struck out all three batters.
Following confirmation of winning the region title, Gatewood head coach Brandon Moss said that winning in region play was important this season.
“It will prove to be huge because our region is going to have some really good teams coming out of it,” Moss said. “Records aside, I felt that our region was by far the deepest and most talented.”
Moss also said he thought a tough non-region schedule and games against teams in higher classifications during the regular season helped his team prepare for the playoffs.
“I feel that playing teams that are well coached and talented helps our players stay focused and keep feeling a little pressure and tightness, to keep an edge. I think the boys enjoy the competition we see from other regions and classifications,” he said.
“As it pertains to the playoffs, one of the biggest obstacles to overcome is going from playing non-meaningful, non-competitive games, to playing a series where a bad day can end your season. Playing a tough schedule keeps that competitive edge.”
The Gators played Pinewood Christian Academy in Bellville on Tuesday (after press time), followed by its regular-season finale on Friday in Macon at Tattnall Square Academy.
Gatewood’s GIAA state playoffs bracket will be released later this week.