The Appling County Pirates (6-2 Overall, 3-1 Region 1-AAA) hosted their non-region rivals from up the road this past Tuesday, March 10. Connor Simmons started the game against the Jeff Davis Yellow Jackets (8-2, 4-1 2-AA) and completed 3.1 innings.
Despite allowing four runs and walking three, Simmons added six more strikeouts to his season total. Stacy Davis entered the game in relief of Simmons and pitched two innings and struck out one. Sophomore pitcher Griffith Faircloth finished the game for the Pirates and struck out two.
The Pirates offense had a total five hits on the day. Tyler Sapp (1-2), Mason Parker (1-3), Casey Griffin (1-3), Connor Simmons (1-2), and Triston Carter (1-3) accounted for the Pirate offense. The Pirates suffered their first loss of the season to the Jackets with a score of 0-4.
The Pirates traveled to Wayne County (1-4, 0-1 3A-AAAA) on Tuesday, March 11 to play the Yellow Jackets. Mason Parker started the game for the Pirates and completed four innings and struck out four. Nick Spell entered the game in relief of Parker and pitched 1.1 innings and allowed no runs. Stacy Davis work allowed no runs as he worked his off-speed and struck out one batter. Mason Parker came away with the win for the Pirates.
The Pirate offense faced the toughest pitching they had seen all year in Wayne County. The Pirates scratched out four hits on the night. Mason Parker (1-4), Griffith Faircloth (1-2), Triston Carter (1-3), and Gage Patton (1-3) were the offensive threats on Tuesday. Senior shortstop Gage Patton led the top of the second inning off with a double down the right field line. A sacrifice bunt by Jake Britt moved Patton to third base. Patton scored on a pass ball a few pitches later. Patton ended up with the only run scored in the game. The Pirates traveled to Southeast Bulloch (3-4, 3-1) for their next game in region play on Friday, March 14. The Pirate offense was not able to get anything going, losing 0-3.
The Pirates will face two region opponents this week starting with Pierce County (7-2, 4-0) on Tuesday, March 18 and ending with New Hampstead (2-6, 2-2) on Friday, March 21.