The Gilmer and Calhoun baseball series included just about every scenario.
First came a blowout, followed by a low-scoring affair ahead of the series finale that included 27 total runs and 30 hits. Unfortunately for the GHS Bobcats, they were on the losing side each time.
The visiting Yellow Jackets took the series opener last Tuesday, 14-1. Game two was Thursday in Calhoun, and GHS was held to one hit in a 1-0 loss.
In game three Friday, there was no shortage of offense. After falling behind by five runs, GHS pulled ahead by five. Calhoun used a pair of four-run innings to overtake the Cats and hold on for a 14-13 win.
Game one was a rough outing for the Cats, who committed six errors for seven unearned runs. CHS outhit Gilmer 11-4 and scored three runs in both the first and second innings. In the fifth, the Jackets plated eight more.
Gilmer’s run in the fifth was unearned. Mel Mosley had two hits for Gilmer, and Jayden Grizzle and Cooper Cochran had one apiece.
GHS pitching: Grizzle 2 1/3 IP, 6 H, 4 ER, 2 BB. Slade Holt 1 2/3 IP, 1 H, 1 K. Blake Grizzle 2/3 IP, 4 H, 3 BB. Jase McCollum 1/3 IP.
Cochran and Calhoun’s Mason Peek were locked into a pitchers’ duel in game two. Peek limited the Cats to one hit and struck out nine. CHS managed six hits on the day and scored the game’s only run in the third. A single and double provided the production needed for the win.
Landen McClure accounted for Gilmer’s hit on the day. Cochran gave up an earned run while striking out four and walking one.
In game three, a walk and three consecutive doubles plated three runs for Calhoun in the first. The Jackets scored a run in the second and third innings to open a 5-0 lead.
Fifteen batters strolled to the plate for GHS in its half, and three Jacket errors meant none of the Bobcats’ runs were earned. Angel Torres scored the first run on a passed ball. A two-run error followed to make the score 5-3. Cochran then plated a run with a single before McCollum’s RBI double evened the score.
Brandon Harrell, McClure and Blake Grizzle recorded RBI hits as well for a three-run advantage. A ninth run scored when Peyton Chancey grounded out. The Cats made it 10-5 on Cochran’s fielder’s choice.
Calhoun strung together five hits with two outs in the fourth to trim Gilmer’s lead to a run. Blake Grizzle’s double started the Cats’ half, and he scored when Jayden Grizzle grounded out.
With two outs and a runner on first, CHS kept the sixth inning alive with four straight hits to take a 13-11 lead. The Jackets plated another run in the seventh to extend their advantage to 14-11.
Rob Mosley’s base hit to center started Gilmer’s at-bat before Blake Grizzle walked. Both scored on Mel Mosley’s double to make the score 14-13. Two strikeouts and a ground out followed to quell the Cats’ rally. The loss marked Gilmer’s sixth one-run region defeat of the season.
Securing multi-hit games for GHS were Mel Mosley (four), while Blake Grizzle, Chancey, Cochran and Rob Mosley each had two apiece. Jayden Grizzle drove in three runs, while Mel Mosley and Cochran recorded two.
GHS pitching: McClure 3 IP, 5 H, 5 ER, 2 BB, 2 K. McCollum 1 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 1 K. Holt 2 IP, 5 H, 4 ER. J. Grizzle 1/3 IP, 1 K. Chancey 2/3 IP, 1 BB.
Gilmer is 9-14 overall and 5-10 in region play.
The Cats were at Murray County (10-8) for a doubleheader at press deadline. Gilmer hosts Towns County (16-5) today for a doubleheader beginning at 5 p.m.