Gilmer High continued its nonregion baseball slate versus Union County and Southeast Whitfield after rain washed away the much of the week.
The GHS Bobcats made the trip to Union last Tuesday, and the Panthers were able to survive the late innings for a 7-6 win. Gilmer hosted Southeast Whitfield Monday evening and sent the Raiders home early with a 14-3 loss.
The Cats committed seven errors, and just two of Union’s runs were earned. UCHS did find success at the plate and totaled nine hits. Gilmer’s seven hits were accounted for by seven different players.
“That many errors was uncharacteristic for us to this point in the season,” said head coach Jeff Thurman. “So, that was frustrating. We know we’ll bounce back, and I guess in baseball you have those kind of days every now and then. On the bright side, we had a chance to win up until the very end. We just couldn’t get any guys over the plate in the seventh.
“Union played well, and they were ready for us. You have to tip your cap to them, and we have to learn from it. It was the only game this season where we weren’t ready to play defense.”
Union jumped to a 3-0 lead with its first at-bat. Pitcher Austin Zabala issued two walks and was called for two balks as well. A hit and error aided the Panthers’ cause.
The Bobcats went to work in the third. Haden West’s walk preceded Zabala’s double to right. Eli Cooper’s sacrifice fly scored West, and courtesy runner Peyton Chancey scored when Noah Gutillo was hit by a pitch. Dalton Crisp drew another walk, and Blake Grizzle’s two-run single moved GHS ahead, 4-3.
With two runners on and two outs in their half of the third, a Panther single and ensuing throwing error plated two runs. Another error gave Union a 6-4 edge.
The Panthers were feeling charitable in the top of the fourth. Mel Mosley made his way to first after a leadoff walk and advanced to second on West’s sacrifice. A Panther error trimmed Union’s lead back to a run.
In Union’s half of the fourth, a double to center and another GHS throwing error allowed the Panther to round the bases for a seventh run.
Gilmer still had some offense left. In the sixth, Hayden Berry belted a double and advance to third when Mosley reached on a bunt. Berry scored when Zabala flew out to right.
The Cats threatened in the seventh. Both Crisp and Ethan McCollum singled with one out, but a pair of strikeouts ended Gilmer’s comeback.
GHS pitching Zabala 4 2/3 IP, 9 H, 2 ER, 7 K, 4 BB. Cooper Cochran 1/3 IP. Crisp 1 IP, 2 K.
The Bobcats’ 11-run first inning did not occur without some help from the Raiders. Southeast pitchers hit three batters, balked, issued three walks and its defense committed an error.
Cooper was there for a three-run single, and Grizzle drove in a run with his double to left. Crisp and Gutillo both recorded RBI singles. Crisp also drew a bases loaded walk and scored on a wild pitch.
SHS scored its three runs in the third. The Raiders took advantage of four walks, including one with the bases loaded. An ensuing groundout plated a second run before a hit to left with two runners in scoring position.
GHS tacked on two more runs in its half. The first scored when McCollum flew out to center before Mosley singled to right to score C.J. Hatchett.
Cooper drove in the Cats’ final run in their next at-bat. The game was called when the Raiders were unable to score any runs in the fifth.
Gutillo and Mosley each had two hits.
GHS pitching: West (W) 2 IP, 1 H, 2 K. Gutillo 1/3 IP, 3 ER, 1 K, 4 BB. Hatchett 1 2/3 IP, 1 H, 2 K. Berry 1 IP, 2 K.
Gilmer is 6-4 overall and began region play. GHS hosted Dawson County (7-4) at press deadline. The Cats will play a double header at Dawson Thursday beginning at 5 p.m.