Panthersville, GA – The Atlanta Blues (1-1) scored 11 runs in the first inning en route to a 21-9 run-rule victory over the Gainesville Gol’Diggers (1-1) at the GSU Baseball Complex on Wednesday night.
Atlanta avenged their 15-5 loss to Gainesville on Opening Day to earn the series-split with the two-time defending champions. Their 11 runs in the first are the most in an inning for the organization since they equaled the Sunbelt record 13 in the second inning of their 17-4 victory over the Gwinnett Astros on June 8, 2022. Their 21 runs also broke the previous team-record of 18 set in their 18-6 win over the Alpharetta Aviators on July 18, 2022.
DJ Butler went 2-for-2 with a walk, four RBI and three stolen bases to lead Atlanta at the plate. Vernon Clay and Erick Rodriguez each went 2-for-3 with three RBI, and Jacobi Brooks, Miles Bowens and Jaylon Lucky drove in two runs each.
Hunter Davenport went 3-for-4 to lead Gainesville on offense, and Zack Zavala drove in three runs.
Geoffrey Gore (1-0) pitched five innings out of the bullpen, allowing just two hits, two walks and one unearned run with five strikeouts to earn the win. Gainesville starter Porter Buursema (0-1) took the loss.
Trailing 1-0, the Blues capitalized on six walks and an error to score their 11 runs in the bottom of the first on just four hits to take and 11-1 lead. The Gol’Diggers made the game interesting with a strong rally in the top of the second, scoring seven runs on six hits to cut the deficit to 11-8, but that was as close as they would get as the Blues slammed the door with four runs each in the bottom of the second and third and outscored Gainesville 2-1 in the fourth to seal the win.
One highlight for Gainesville for was Logan Bogue, who pitched two scoreless innings in his second straight appearance. The junior from Middle Tennessee allowed one hit and tallied four strikeouts. He currently ranks second in the Sunbelt with seven on the season.
Both teams will return to play again on Friday, June 7 at 7:05 p.m. The Gol’Diggers will host the Atlanta Crackers in Gainesville, and the Blues will host the Waleska Wild Things at the GSU Baseball Complex.
Comments