Houston Co., Gainesville go to Game 3 in semis

The last out of the seventh inning. It’s something Columbus High couldn’t get on Houston County High in order to force a Game 3 last week in Warner Robins. Gainesville High did, but not without some sweating on its own home field Monday.

The Bears, returning to Hall County and the home of the Red Elephants for the first time since winning 2014’s GHSA 5A semifinals on their way to the state championship, destroyed Gainesville in Game 1 of this year’s semis 9-4. But the host club found a pitcher to hold down Houston County in Game 2 to win 2-1 and force a third and deciding game on Tuesday.

But Blake Dawson, the leadoff batter swinging a pretty good stick all day, was at the plate with a chance to drive home certainly the tying – if not winning – run with two down in the bottom of the seventh in that tight nightcap. He swung at the first pitch from Collier Scott – on the mound from the beginning – and hit into a force play that split the doubleheader.

In fact, those potential RBI for Dawson all reached base with two outs, and neither was from a base hit. Houston had its pinch hitter Milton hit by a Scott pitch, and Austin Langford reached on an error off an 0-2 pitch.

D.L. Hall pitched six quality innings in Game 2 for the Bears and coach Jason Brett. He gave up one run on two doubles in the first inning (Gainesville playing as the visitors on the score sheet), then the Elephants scored the deciding run unearned style in the fourth. Otherwise, Hall gave up just two other hits – both in that fourth inning – walked two and struck out eight.

It was Fedrick Cardona doubling to center with one out and Sam Carpenter – the Game 1 starting pitcher – who drove him home on a double in the top of the first. It gave the Red Elephants their first lead of the day.

Houston County was quick to answer and tie the game in the bottom half, Jake Fromm ripping his own double with two down. He scored on a base hit from Tanner Hall.

Scott, however, kept the Bears quiet with three more hits allowed up to the seventh inning. Dawson had a single to lead off the Houston third but was picked off. Scott struck out six and issued one walk.

A big opportunity for insurance runs presented itself to Gainesville when Brett went to his bullpen for the top of the seventh. The coach had shaky results when he did that in the opening contest and the Elephants scored two runs (though down by seven at the start).

Leadoff batter Banks Griffith put down a bunt single, and the bases were soon loaded on two walks and one out. But the new middle infield of Houston – Tucker Garland at shortstop and Dillon Strickland at second base – turned a double play.

GAME 1

Houston County shot up to No. 2 in the 5A rankings by Maxpreps.com following its sweep of No. 1 Columbus in last week’s quarterfinals. Gainesville came in No. 7, but as a fellow region champion was involved in a coin flip to determine the host for the semifinals. That went in its favor also, but home field did not serve the Elephants well in the series’ onset.

First of all, Dawson led off the day doubling off the wall. Fromm drew a one-out walk to bring up Tanner Hall. He singled home Dawson. With two outs, Strickland faced 0-2 against Carpenter – a 6-2 lefthander – but singled off the pitcher scoring Fromm for 2-0 Houston.

Gainesville used its first turn to tie the game 2-2 facing Tony Locey. Griffith singled and Locey issued a walk. Carpenter advanced the runners to scoring position, and Griffith scored on a wild pitch. Scott reached on an infield hit, which plated the tying run.

Houston County would burst things wide open with a five-run second sending 10 batters to the plate. Langford, at the No. 9 hole and the designated hitter, singled to left with one out to get Dawson back to the dish. The outfielder was the first of two to lay down bunt singles. D.L. Hall also bunted to load the bases.

Fromm cracked a two-run double to center. The bags were full again for Austin Hittinger. He singled home one run, then the Gainesville outfield misplayed his hit to bring in one more run. Carpenter was called for a balk later that made the score 7-2.

Locey pitched through the sixth inning and gave up just two more hits. Griffith singled to start the Elephant half of the third, but Strickland and Garland turned the twin killing.

The Bears gave him a 9-2 lead in the fifth inning, all action happening with two outs. It was Langford again being the catalyst reaching on an error. He went to second on a wild pitch and scored on Dawson’s double. Dawson scored when D.L. Hall reached after a dropped third strike.

Brett used three pitchers in the home seventh, which started with three straight walks. Jordan Hampton, pitcher No. 2, threw his first offering, and it was hit to Garland for one more double play.

But three more Elephants reached base without a hit, scoring two runs. Tanner Hall pitched to one batter to end it.

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