CARNESVILLE, GA - The Morgan County Bulldogs’ baseball team lost two tough road games against the Franklin County Lions in last Wednesday’s GHSA Class AAA Sweet 16 double-header of the state playoffs.
The Diamond Dogs ran into some strong pitching from the opposition and were shutout 11-0 in Game 1 and held to just one run in their 5-1 Game 2 defeat.
Bulldogs’ head coach Merritt Ainslie credited Franklin County’s ability to pitch efficiently.
“I thought coming off the Mary Persons’ series riding that high of scoring 27 runs on 22 hits would keep our bats hot,” Ainslie said.
The Diamond Dogs also saw good play from the mound.
Samuel Schofield started Game 1 on the hill for the Bulldogs and pitched well the first few innings. His performance was highlighted by the scoreless third inning in which Schofield was able to strike out the side.
However, Franklin County slowly figured it out at the plate, and Lions senior Miles Dodd hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the fourth inning to extend their lead to 3-0.
After Morgan County went three up, three down in the top of the fifth, the team looked defeated. The Diamond Dogs tried to bring Talan Fuller in from the bullpen, but the Lions were ready for that as well.
Even though Game 1 showed a blow-out on the scoreboard, Ainslie believes it’s not indicative of how close the game was.
The Diamond Dogs fought back in Game 2 and kept it within striking distance the whole way. They even had a chance to tie it up late in the game.
Morgan County was able to put a couple of guys on in the last inning but was unable to execute during the last couple of at-bats.
“We tried to get Jack Harper up to the plate with bases loaded to maybe hit a miracle grand-slam since his bat has been hot,” Ainslie said. “We just couldn’t get that last guy on to give him that opportunity.”
Even though its season may have ended prematurely, Morgan County finished the year 20-12 while going 14-4 in their region. The Diamond Dogs will look to bounce back next season after only graduating one senior.