Gatewood baseball ended its regular season last week with an 11-0 loss to Pinewood Christian.
The Gators traveled to Bellville to play the Patriots for the regular season finale.
Gatewood struggled in the first inning at the plate scoring no runs, and in the bottom of the frame, Gators gave up two runs. The Patriots’ first run came following an error, and the next on a single before Gators’ pitcher Walker Roberts got his second strikeout to end the inning.
The Gators were unable to respond and struggled offensively. They gave up two more runs in the second, pushing Pinewood’s lead to 4-0.
In the third, Walker retired the Patriots’ side quietly for the first time in the contest. Trey Wiggins came on in the bottom of the fourth inning and struggled to start, giving up a triple that scored the Patriots' fifth run.
Pinewood plated two more runs before a line out to second baseman Hunter Johnson ended the inning.
In the fifth, the Gators were unable to score any runs and gave up four runs to end the game as Pinewood dominated.
Roberts provided Gatewood with three innings of work, with five strikeouts and two hits, but he also gave up four runs. Wiggins, who pitched 1.1 innings, gave up four hits and seven runs. Despite the disappointing loss for Gatewood, the Gators will enter the GIAA Class AA playoffs with a 13-7 record overall and a bye in the first round of the postseason.
The Gators will play the winner of the Trinity Christian School (Dublin) and Briarwood Academy this Friday with a doubleheader. If necessary, game three will be on Saturday.