Putnam County baseball split with Thomson, winning 6-1 at home on March 25 and losing 12-2 four days later on the road.
The two-game series with the Bulldogs couldn’t have been more lopsided, according to War Eagles head coach Mike Phiel.
“It was a tough region series and that was expected,” Phiel said. “One day you’re hot and the next you’re not.”
During game one, junior Tanner Lukens powered the War Eagles’ offensive attack, going 3-for-4 with two RBIs. Sophomore Jackson Dodd also was productive, finishing the night going 2-for-4, and also with a pair of RBIs.
Phiel liked his team’s approach at the plate as his players drove Thomson starter Dalton Gergren’s pitch count way up. Regardless, he was very complimentary of the Bulldogs’ ace on the mound during game one.
“You’ll hear his name again. He’s the best player in the region,” Phiel said. “I know Washington County has a great pitcher and hitter, but (Gergren) is the complete package. We held him down, beat him on the mound, and drove his pitch count up. We scored two runs on him early and got him out of the game in the fifth inning.”
Putnam got up 1-0 in the bottom of the first as a one-out single by Lukens scored Dodd. The War Eagles added another run in the second when Dodd hit a single to right field, bringing Wyatt Sims around to score.
Thomson’s lone run came in the top of the fifth with two outs. An infield single by Tre Lazenby scored a runner, making it a 2-1 ball game; however, it didn’t last long as Putnam County responded in the sixth inning.
Ethan Whatley reached base safely on a walk and advanced to third on a single from Holder. Whatley scored next on a single by Dodd before Mark Winslette followed up with a base hit.
Leading 3-1, Lukens’ single to center field scored Holder and Branan Griffin then lined out to Thomson’s shortstop, but Dodd scored on an error throw to third base. A few batters later, Winslette scored on a single by BJ Ruff.
On the mound, Hunter Holder was nearly flawless. The veteran pitcher was dominant, striking out eight hitters, walking three, and surrendering only one run on five hits allowed.
Phiel pointed out how Holder controlled his pitches and managed to shut down the Bulldogs’ offensive attack.
“(Holder) was phenomenal. He threw strikes and gave us a chance to win,” Phiel said. “We gave up one run as they scored on a fielder’s choice when we were trying to turn two. We thought we had the out, but the umpire saw differently. But overall, Hunter pitched incredibly well. Hunter did what we asked him to do.”
During game two, Thomson’s offense exploded in the fourth inning for 10 runs, extending its lead to 12-1.
The Bulldogs scored one run in each of the first two innings, leading 2-0 before Putnam County got one back in the third. A one-out single by Dodd to right field scored Whatley, making it 2-1 in the Bulldogs’ favor.
Gergren returned for Thomson after the War Eagles scored a run and shut Putnam down for the rest of the game.
Also, after a strong start on the mound for Putnam County from Wyatt Johnston, the middle relievers struggled. Lukens and Griffin combined to give up nine runs on two hits before Winslette finished out the game.
As a staff, the War Eagles struggled, walking 10 batters, and giving Thomson easy access to the base path.
Phiel expected Thomson to play well at home, especially after losing to his team in game one.
“It was tough, but Thomson is a really good baseball team,” he said. “Sometimes that happens in this game.”
Next week, Putnam County will play on April 9 at Laney and will host Josey for a makeup on April 11. The War Eagles will then face Laney at home on April 12.