Diamond Pack drops opener, then wins three straight games

Published 7:44 pm Sunday, February 18, 2024

MOULTRIE — The Colquitt County baseball team was shut out 5-0 by Thomas County Central on Ike Aultman Field at Jerry Croft Stadium in its season-opener, but bounced back to go on the road and beat Columbus and sweep a doubleheader at Harris County.

The Packers made two errors that led to four unearned runs and wasted nine hits in the Valentine’s Day opener.

Central had five hits and stole nine bases, but it was two costly errors that helped the Jackets start their season with a road win.

An error on a throw to first base following a strikeout on a ball in the dirt led to three unearned runs and a 3-0 Central lead in the third inning.

Another infield error led to the final two Yellow Jacket runs in the sixth inning.

The Packers stranded 12 base runners and wasted solid pitching performances by Mason Moore, Cook Tompkins and Logan Plymel.

The Packers got two hits each from Cam Cook and Jaxon Chambers, but could not come up with a crucial base hit.

The Packers traveled to take on Columbus High on Friday, Feb. 16, and blanked the Blue Devils 3-0 behind the two-hit pitching of Gabe Eubanks and Plymel.

The pair combined to issue just two walks and struck out nine.

The Packers got just six hits, but were able to turn them into three runs.

The next day, the Packers traveled up to Hamilton for a doubleheader against Harris County.

Colquitt took a 4-0 lead in the first game before the Tigers were able to retire a batter and went on to a 16-1 victory.

The Packers banged out 16 hits, including three each by Moore and freshman second-baseman Bryce Roberts.

Moore hit the first homer of the season for the Packers and Adam Beverly and Tyson Hobby each had doubles.

Garrett Wingate and Cole Holder held the Tigers to three hits and one run in the five-inning, run-rule victory.

The second game was much closer.

The Packers scored two runs in the top of the first and another in the second, but the Tigers tied the game 3-3 in the bottom of the inning.

Harris finally got its first lead of the day by scoring a run in the bottom of the sixth.

But Moore and Hayden Hembree drew walks to open the top of the seventh for the Packers and Roberts got a bunt single to load the bases.

Moore scored on a wild pitch to re-tie the game and Cook gave the Packers another lead with a sacrifice fly.

Down 5-4, Harris threatened in the bottom of the seventh.

Facing Colquitt County freshman right-hander Bowen DeRosso, the first two Harris batters reached on base hits and a sacrifice moved runners to second and third.

An intentional walk loaded the bases.

DeRosso then got a big strikeout to keep the base runners in place and then induced a grounder to first to end the game.

Colquitt put its three-game winning streak on the line when it traveled to Douglas on Tuesday to face Coffee High.

The Packers will be back on Ike Aultman Field at Jerry Croft Stadium for three straight games beginning with a 6 p.m. Wednesday game against Cairo. As part of the annual Georgia/Florida Challenge, the Packers will play host to Creekside High of St. Johns, Fla., at 6:30 p.m. Friday and face St. John Neumann of Naples, Fla., at 12:30 p.m. Saturday.