With two region games remaining this week, the ECI baseball team is still in first place in the region standings. The Bulldogs dropped a game to second-place Metter last week, leaving both teams with identical 10-2 region records. ECI holds the tiebreaker based on runs scored in the two head-to-head matchups.
The Bulldogs face a critical two-game region series this week against fourth-place Portal in a must-win situation if they want to hold on to the top spot. Meanwhile, Metter will close out region play against sixth-place Claxton.
ECI swept Claxton last week with 10-0 and 11-1 victories but fell to Metter 5-3 in a key matchup. The Bulldogs opened their series against Claxton in dominant fashion. In the home game, ECI got on the board in the bottom of the second inning when Judd Underwood drove in Tuff Boddiford, who had doubled with one out. Gunner Johnson followed with an RBI double to score Underwood and give the Bulldogs a 2-0 lead. After adding another run in the third, ECI broke the game open with seven runs in the fourth inning to secure a 10-0 run-rule victory on Senior Night. Johnson led the offense with three hits and three RBIs. Lake Bush continued his strong pitching, tossing his second consecutive shutout while allowing just one hit and striking out nine.
On Thursday, April 2, the Bulldogs traveled to Claxton and came away with an unusual 11-1 win. ECI scored 11 runs on just three hits, aided by six walks, 10 hit batters, and four Claxton errors. The Bulldogs did not record their first hit until the sixth inning but had an 8-1 lead. Claxton’s only run of the series came on a first-inning home run. Jackson Kennedy recorded two of ECI’s three hits, while Hane Henry added one. Kennedy also dominated on the mound, pitching six innings while allowing just one hit, no walks, and striking out 10. Tuff Boddiford closed out the game with a scoreless seventh inning.
ECI faced Metter in a make-up game on Wednesday. The Bulldogs had defeated the Tigers 11-5 earlier in the season, but Metter evened the series with a 5-3 victory, leaving both teams tied atop the region standings. Metter jumped out to a 3-0 lead by the third inning. The Bulldogs responded, tying the game at 3-3 with runs in the fourth and fifth innings. However, a two-run home run by the Tigers in the fifth proved to be the difference, as Metter held on for the win. Jud Underwood led ECI at the plate with two doubles and an RBI, while Jacob Hughes added two hits. Underwood pitched 4 2/3 innings, allowing eight hits and striking out three. Bryson Underwood handled the remaining innings, giving up just two hits.
The Bulldogs have three games scheduled during spring break week. They will travel to Portal on Monday before returning home to host Portal on Tuesday and Savannah Christian on Wednesday.
