EC defeats Westlake, clinch tie for region title

COLLEGE PARK-Matthew Meyer was 3-for-3 at the plate with two runs scored and an RBI while Austin Bellamy settled down on the mound to finish with a five-hitter Monday as the East Coweta Indians defeated the Westlake Lions 5-2 to claim at a share of the Region 3-AAAAAA title.
The win at Bill Evans Field was the 14th in a row for the Indians who improved to 18-5 overall and 12-0 in the region while the Lions fell to 8-3 in the region as they enter a doubleheader Tuesday afternoon at Newnan's Joe Pope Field against the Cougars.


Austin Jones' solo home run in the top of the first gave the Indians the lead.

The Indians took the lead with one out in the top of the first inning as Austin Jones hit a solo home run over the left field fence.
After Bryce Gemmel grounded out, Meyer reached on his first double of the game when he lined a shot into the left center gap and came home when Jaquez Williams had an RBI double.
Williams scored the third and final run of the game when he hit a single to left field.
The Lions threatened to come back in the bottom of the second inning as the first two batters reached but the threat looked like it would be brief as a line drive was hit to Devonte Brown at shortstop and the freshman was able to turn a double play as he caught the baserunner too far from third base.
However, three singles followed and the lead was cut to 3-2 in favor of the Indians.
The Indians managed to get one of the runs back with one out in the top of the third inning when Meyer lined a shot into the right center field gap for his second double of the game and eventually scored on an infield single by Makenzie Martin.
In the top of the fifth inning, the Indians scored their final run of the contest as Gemmel reached on an infield single, stole second and came home when Meyer singled to right field.

Austin Bellamy allowed five hits and recorded eight strikeouts in seven innings.

Meanwhile, Bellamy managed to settle down after a sluggish start as retired the final 10 batters of the game and 14 of 16 after the second inning with seven of his eight strikeouts and inducing six infield outs.
The second game of the series will be played Wednesday evening at 5:30 in Sharpsburg on Senior Night and the Indians will have an opportunity to clinch the region's top seed.