Gardner scores hat trick as EC Freshmen open season with 10-run fourth en route to win

SHARPSBURG-The East Coweta Indians freshmen took advantage of pitching problems by McIntosh Thursday evening with 10 runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to defeat the Chiefs 13-3 in the season opener.
The Chiefs took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning, but the Indians tied the game in the bottom of the frame as Kaleb Gardner was hit by a pitch and stole two bases before collecting the first of three runs on a throwing error by the pitcher.
McIntosh reclaimed the lead in the top of the third inning with a pair of runs and held a lead until the bottom of fourth inning.
Craig Newlands opened the frame with double and after one out, Dekel Williams reached on a bunt single but the duo appeared to be left on base as the second out was recorded.
However, EC began to cut into the lead as Charlie Paige walked to load the bases and Ryan Barber was hit by a pitch that scored Newlands.
A pitching change was made by the Chiefs but that didn't seem to work as Williams came home on a wild pitch that tied the game at 3-3 and Austin Black reached on a walk to reload the bases.
Gardner followed by receiving a free pass that scored Paige from third with the go ahead run and Zach Carlton was hit by a pitch that scored Barber.
Newlands batted for the second time in the inning and was able to reach base on a walk that scored a run and winning pitcher Andrew Martin aided his own cause by also receiving a run-scoring walk.
A balk eventually scored Newlands and the scoring finally end as Nico Sinese had a two-run single for the Indians.
In the top of the fifth inning, the Chiefs attempted to rally as the first two batters reached against Martin, but the runners were left stranded as the next three batters were retired to end the inning.
The game ended on the 10-run mercy rule as Ben Brisky reached on a force play and Gardner lined a double as Kaleb Carey and Jacob Medina followed with RBI singles.
Ethan Leonard started for the Indians and pitched the first two and two-third innings allowing a hit and three runs while recording three strikeouts before he was replaced by Martin who allowed a hit and recorded three strikeouts.
The EC freshmen are scheduled to play again on Saturday when the host the Westlake Lions in a doubleheader scheduled to begin at 11:00.