Gilmer High opened its region baseball schedule and found itself on the losing end.
The GHS Bobcats squared off against Heritage last week, and the Generals hosted game one Wednesday. Both teams battled the cold temperatures, and the Generals persevered, 12-0.
GHS hosted a double header Friday to close out the series. Hits were hard to come by again for the Cats, and Heritage notched a 3-1 win.
While Gilmer had its best offensive day in the final game of the series, errors proved costly for GHS. The Bobcats entered the bottom of the seventh inning down by three runs and their comeback bid fell just short, 4-3.
Gilmer did not commit any errors in game one but pitchers issued 10 walks. HHS collected six hits through four at-bats. The Generals scored a run in the first, two in the third and seven in the fourth.
Bobcats Blake Grizzle, Cooper Cochran and Mel Mosley each had a hit. GHS pitching: Hayden Berry 3 IP, 4 H, 5 ER, 5 K, 5 BB. Noah Gutillo 1/3 IP, 2 H, 7 ER, 1 K, 4 BB. Kanyon Connel 2/3 IP, 1 K, 1 BB.
Gilmer was held to three hits in game two as well, and two of them belonged to Gutillo. Cochran had a hit and drove in the Bobcats’ only run in the fourth inning.
Heritage’s three runs were produced off six hits and one was unearned. HHS plated a run in the first, second and fifth innings.
GHS pitching: Landon McClure 6 IP, 2 ER, 5 K, 5BB. Cochran 1 IP.
The Bobcats ended the series with eight hits in game three. However, they stranded five runners in scoring position, which included two in their last at-bat with the bases loaded.
Starting pitcher C.J. Hatchett had a strong game on the mound. He allowed just one hit and walked two while striking out nine over five innings. Cochran pitched the last two innings and gave up four hits, two earned runs and struck out one.
Gilmer took a first inning lead when Eli Cooper tripled and scored when Gutillo flew out. HHS had five hits and scored a run in the third and fifth innings and two more in the sixth.
Trailing 4-1 with three outs remaining, Gilmer battled back. Both Mosley and Grizzle were hit by pitches, and Jase McCollum’s single was sandwiched in between to load the bases. Cooper reached on an error to score pitch runner Haden West.
Gilmer cut the margin to a run when Gutillo singled home pinch runner Zander Schute. However, HHS turned a double play to end Gilmer’s hopes and claim the win.
In addition to his triple, Cooper also doubled. Gutillo and Mosley also had two hits. Rob Mosley joined McCollum with one hit.
Gilmer is 3-7 overall and hosted Adairsville at press deadline. Game two will be at Adairsville Thursday, and the series will conclude Friday in Ellijay. All games are scheduled for 5:30 p.m.