Indians defeat Patriots with seven-run fourth inning

SHARPSBURG-A seven-run fourth inning by the East Coweta Indians helped support the pitching of Mason Meyer and four relievers Friday night in an 8-3 victory over the Sandy Creek Patriots.

The victory was the second straight over the Patriots after a 12-0 win Thursday evening in Tyrone after a 2-1 season opening loss at home to Eagles Landing Christian Academy.

After a scoreless first inning, the Indians scored their first run of the game with one out in the bottom of the second as Austen Russell reached first on an infield error, advanced on a walk to Trevor Gaddy and came home on a single to right field by Nate Gick.

The Patriots, coached by former EC football and baseball player Lee Heaberlin, had a chance to get on the board with one out in the top of the fourth inning as Cole Jackson reached on a walk and Parker Mallet followed with a single to center field.

However, reliever Brian Oliver was able to induce an infield pop and a swinging third strike to end the rally.

In the bottom of the frame, the Indians made the Patriots pay as the sent 12 batters to the plate to account for the seven runs.

Jaquez Williams and Keith Wilson led off with walks and Russell followed with a single that loaded the bases.

Gaddy singled to right to score Williams while an infield error followed that allowed Gick to reach base and Wilson to come home.

Dillon Roller doubled to left to bring Russell plateward and after a walk to Zack Bruce, Devontae Brown and Ryan Dyal had back-to-back sacrifice flies and an error gave the Indians a 6-0 cushion with the final runs coming home on a two-run single by Russell.

The Patriots was able to cut into the lead in the top of the fifth as Kaleb Slaughter reached on a one out single and came home on a double by Jared Kent who scored on a double by Thomas Farr.

Sandy Creek added one more run in the top of the sixth inning as Mallett led off the frame with a solo home run over the left field fence.

Meyer gave the Indians three effective innings on the mound as he allowed two hits while recording four strikeouts before giving way to Oliver in the fourth.

Cody Rogers followed in the fifth with Avery Reynolds and AJ Summers working the final innings.

Russell and Gick each had two hits for the Indians with the former scoring twice while Mallett and Slaughter recorded a pair of hits for the Patriots.

Next game for the Indians will be Tuesday when they will be on the road to face Troup County while the Patriots will host Creekside.