From the top of the standings to the bottom, Region 3, Class 1A D-1 features a number of really good pitchers. With teams usually throwing their number one pitcher in region games, there has been lots of low scoring region games this year. You are certainly much more likely to see a 2-1 game than a 9-8 game and you will seldom ever see a blowout in region play. Out of all of the region games played in Region 3 this year, only twice has there been a game where one of the teams has scored more than ten runs in the contest. Through the end of last week, the teams in Region 3 were allowing an average of just 4.19 runs per game in region play. Unfortunately, last week Swainsboro was on the wrong end of two of those pitcher’s duels as they were defeated by scores of 4-0 and 2-1 in their two region games. On the plus side, however, the Lady Tigers were able to bounce back in dominating fashion and pick up a non-region shut out win over Dublin on Monday night.
On Tuesday September 23, Swainsboro traveled to the Sweet Onion Capital of the World to face the Vidalia Lady Indians. The Indian’s bats were on fire early on as they scored three runs on four hits in the first inning. The Indians added one more run in the second inning, but from there on out the Lady Tigers shut out their opponent. Indian pitcher Tori Polke allowed three hits and three walks but was able to keep Swainsboro off the scoreboard as Vidalia came out on top by a final score of 4-0.
On September 25, Swainsboro traveled to Savannah for a match-up with the Savannah Christian Raiders. Swainsboro had defeated Savannah Christian earlier in the year by scores of 4-1 and 7-3 but they could not pull off the season sweep on Thursday evening. Swainsboro jumped out to an early 1-0 lead on an Aa’Caylah Murphy RBI single in the first inning. The Lady Tigers carried that slim 1-0 lead into to the bottom of the fourth inning, but the Raiders were able to tie up the game on a walk, a single, and a sacrifice bunt. Savannah Christian then took the lead on a crazy play that featured a wild pitch and a throwing error and took a 2-1 lead. Neither team allowed run in the final three innings of the game and the Raiders held on for the 2-1 win. Chloe Boulineau took the loss for Swainsboro despite striking out 13 batters and allowing just two runs (1 earned) on two hits and one walk over six innings. The Swainsboro offense was limited to just two hits and two walks on the day by Raider pitcher Jillian Austin.
On Monday September 29, Swainsboro traveled to Dublin to face the Lady Irish. Coming off of consecutive close losses, the Lady Tigers were looking to get the bats going and pick up a win. After scoring single runs in the first and second innings and scoring two more runs in the fourth inning, the Lady Tigers finally turned it up a notch and scored five runs in the top of the fifth inning. Swainsboro then secured the five-inning win by sitting down the Irish 1-2-3 in the bottom half of the inning to claim the 9-0 shutout win. Chloe Boulineau was dominant on the evening, allowing only three base runners all game and striking out 12 batters in the process. Boulineau also helped herself out at the plate with a two hit, two RBI performance. Izzy Baird also had a big night at the plate with a single, two sacrifice flies, and three RBI. Mylie Beneteau, Aa’Cayalah Murphy, Sara Smith, Kaybreigh Hostilo, and Stella Kate Marsh also chipped in with a hit.
Next up for the Lady Tigers will be a 6 p.m. game at Toombs County on Thursday October 2, and a 4 p.m. home game against Bleckley County on Friday October 3.
Everyone is encouraged to come out to support the 12-7 Lady Tigers as they take on the 15-5 Bleckley County Royals Friday afternoon at 4 p.m. and then hang around for some gridiron action as the 6-0 Swainsboro Tiger football team hosts the defending state champion Toombs County Bulldogs at 7:30 p.m.
