The Gilmer High Bobcats wrapped up their nonregion baseball schedule against rival Fannin County.
They met for two games last week, and the first was Tuesday in Blue Ridge. The Rebels rode the wave of a pair of four-run innings to an 8-5 victory. They squared off in Ellijay two days later. The Cats came on strong over their final three at-bats to win, 7-5.
FCHS outhit the Cats 7-5 in game one, but it was three GHS errors that led to five unearned runs.
In the first, Gilmer scored a run without recording a hit. Jase McCollum walked and Peyton Chancey and Jayden Grizzle were hit by pitches. With the bases loaded, Mel Mosley was plunked by a pitch as well for a 1-0 lead.
Fannin loaded the bases in its half with two hits and a walk. A ground out tied the score, and the Rebels pulled ahead by one on a GHS error. An ensuing two-run single put Gilmer behind, 4-1.
The Cats only had one hit over their next three at-bats ahead of the fifth inning. Blake Grizzle earned a leadoff walk and moved to second on Cooper Cochran’s sacrifice bunt. Grizzle scored on Chancey’s base hit to center. Mosley’s two-out single to center plated Gilmer’s third run.
FCHS collected three hits in its half. The Rebels were aided by a walk and error, and three of their four runs were unearned as their lead widened to 8-3.
McCollum walked and Mosley doubled in the seventh. Landen McClure brought both home with a single to right, but the Cats’ rally fell short.
Both Mosley and McClure recorded two hits. GHS pitching: J. Grizzle 4 1/3 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 4 BB, 4 K. Slade Holt 1 2/3 IP, 2 H, 3 K.
Five total errors followed in game two. Three of Fannin’s five runs were unearned while Gilmer scored four runs due to FCHS errors.
Fannin plated an unearned run in the second and led 3-0 after its fourth at-bat. The Cats answered with four runs in their half and none were earned. Chancey, Hadley McGregor and Rob Mosley all singled in the inning and McClure drew a walk.
Gilmer added to its lead in the sixth. Zander Shute reached on an infield hit before Rob Mosley and Blake Grizzle were hit by pitches. Both Cochran and Chancey were walked with the bases loaded. Gilmer’s seventh run scored on McCollum’s infield hit.
FCHS scored its final two runs in the seventh and one was unearned.
GHS pitching: McClure 4 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 4 BB, 5 K. McCollum 3 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 5 K. McCollum and Shute both had two hits.
GHS is 4-4 overall and began region play Tuesday at home against Heritage. The Cats will wrap up the series Friday with an away doubleheader.