Wiley has three hits in EC freshmen victory over arch-rival Newnan

Quinlan Wiley went 3-for-4 with two runs scored while two others also scored twice Friday to lead the East Coweta Indians to an 8-5 win over the Newnan Cougars in a freshman baseball game played in Sharpsburg.

The win improved the Indians’ record to 7-3-1 as they as scheduled to venture in Fayette County for a doubleheader against the Starr's’ Mill Panthers Saturday morning at 10.

Newnan took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning as Jackson Youngblood was hit by a pitch to open the game and after stealing second, he went to third on a wild pitch and came home on a two out single by Austin Roberts.

The Cougars added a run in the top of the second inning as Will Harper reached on a walk, advanced to second on a wild pitch and after moving to third on a single by Collin Spivey, came home on a wild pitch.

The Indians responded in the bottom of the third inning by scoring three runs to take a 3-2 lead.

Wiley singled while Ashton DeLoach and Jacob Howell walked to load the bases for starting pitcher Jacob Burgess who was hit by a pitch that allowed Wiley to score and cut the margin to 2-1.

Evan Fuller allowed the Indians to take the lead as he singled to to right field and DeLoach and Howell came home.

The Indians added to the lead in the bottom of the fourth inning as Jonathan Williams walked and after a single by Wiley, DeLoach hit into a double play but Williams was able to score from third.

Howell followed the double play with a single, advanced around the bases on a triple by Burgess and ran around third base to the plate with an effort that reminded some of one time Atlanta Brave Sid Bream.

Logan Frady, who ran for Burgess, would score the final run in the frame to give EC a 6-2 lead when Keegan Rich singled to right field.

Burgess, who gave EC four solid innings, was removed in the top of the fifth inning after hitting Mason Bervaldi with a pitch in favor of Levi Wilson.

The Cougars rallied off of Wilson as Collin Spivey reached on an error and Youngblood was hit by a pitch to load the bases for Thomas Collins who singled home Bervaldi from third.

Spivey was able to score from third with the other run of the inning and cut the deficit to 6-4 when Seth Bruce hit a sacrifice fly to left field but the Cougars weren’t able to get closer as Wilson retired the next two batters.

The Indians got the two runs back in the bottom of the fifth as Wiley reached on a two out single. DeLoach was hit by a pitch and Howell walked to load the bases for Wilson.

Wilson came through for the Indians as he drilled a single that scored Wiley and DeLoach to give them an 8-4 lead.

The Cougars scored the final run of the afternoon in the top of the seventh inning as Bruce reached on a one out single and stole second before advancing to third on a flyball and being awarded home due to a balk call.