LIVE OAK, Fla. — The Suwannee High baseball team toppled two Tallahassee giants this week.   

After run-ruling Lincoln on Monday, the Bulldogs took care of another Class 8A team on Thursday. Pitchers Bo Bonds and Drew Law combined for a shutout as Suwannee defeated Leon 2-0 at Booster Field. 

Bonds struck out nine in five innings while allowing just one hit. Law pitched the final two innings to record the save. He entered in the sixth inning and was faced with a tough challenge against a potent top of the order for Leon. But the junior left-hander induced three flyouts in a row. 

“That’s a big win and a big pickup for the team moving forward,” said SHS coach Justin Bruce, whose team improved to 5-0. “Giving up two hits to a Tallahassee team that can really hit is a big accomplishment.

“Bo was able to land his breaking ball and changeup, which really gave him a chance to make his fastball put people away. So proud of Drew for going right after hitters and keeping the lead.” 

In addition to his overpowering fastball and improved off-speed pitches, Bonds showcased plenty of fight. After a walk and a single to start the game, Leon (2-1) put runners on first and third base with no outs. Bonds proceeded to strike out the next three hitters to get out of the first-inning jam. 

He retired 15 of the final 16 hitters he faced.   

“Anytime you play the big teams from Tallahassee — they come here and play the country boy Suwannee kids —  it’s great to beat Lincoln and Leon. To show them we’re not just some podunk town,” Bonds said. “You come here and you’ll get beat.”

Suwannee couldn’t muster much offense, but two runs proved to be enough on a night where pitching dominated. The Bulldogs had three consecutive walks to start the bottom of the first inning and scored their first run on a balk. Dalton Croft, who finished 1-1 with a double and two walks, scored that run.

SHS added an insurance run in the fourth inning on a long single from EJ Alvarez that plated Wyatt Morrill.      

“Two guys that stood out offensively are Dalton Croft and EJ,” Bruce said. “Seniors finding a way to help the team.”

Bonds improved to 2-0 on the season. He has thrown nine scoreless innings and struck out 16 hitters.

“As an underclassmen, I wasn’t really a pitcher,” said Bonds, now a senior. “I worked with (SHS pitching coach) Daniel Tillman a lot on my off-speed and I’m using it a lot more. “I owe everything to him and all the stuff he’s done for our team.”