The 2016 Georgia/Florida Challenge took place this past weekend and the boys from South Georgia edged their neighbors from the south, 6-5. Our featured game of the event was Pace High School, from the Pensacola area, taking on the Valdosta Wildcats on a cool Friday night.
Pace jumped ahead early with an RBI double –inches from being a 2-run blast –just three batters in but were unable to add to their good start. After being held without a hit through the first couple of frames, it was the bottom of the Wildcat order that got things going. Following back to back singles and a SAC bunt miscommunication by the Patriots’ infield, Logan Stephens cleared the bases with a triple to the left field gap. Valdosta was only able to tack on one more and headed to the fourth with a 4-1 lead.
The top of the fourth started very similar to the first, Pace leadoff with a single and another RBI double this time down the third base line. Again, Valdosta starter Seth Shuman settled down striking out the next three to end the top half of the inning. The Patriots were gaining momentum after a quick 1-2-3 inning was squandered thanks to a 2-out error that kept the Wildcat rally alive. Two batters later, Shuman helped himself at the plate, ripping a 2-run triple to the right field gap.
The Valdosta pitcher was definitely the star of the night and the fifth was definitely his masterpiece. After striking out the leadoff man, he loaded the bases and it seemed like the end of the road. He would strike out the next two batters swinging and held the 7-2 lead.
The sixth and seventh were filled with station to station baseball. Loaded with walks, singles, wild pitches, and force outs; it was apparent that the chilly temperatures were taking its toll on not only the players but umpires as well. Valdosta’s offense added on five runs of insurance in the sixth and were able to thwart off a Pace rally in the seventh to secure the victory.
Final Score: Valdosta 12, Pace 4
Top Performers
Seth Shuman: Went 5 innings giving up 2 runs, striking out 7. Went 2-4 at the plate with 4 RBIs.
Logan Stephens: Had a 4 RBI Game including bases clearing triple. Was a threat on the bases, with a SB and going 2nd to home on a heads-up play in the sixth.
2016 Georgia/Florida Challenge Scores
Thursday
Columbia (FL) 3, Valdosta (GA) 1
Friday
Valdosta (GA) 12, Pace (FL) 4
Lowndes (GA) 7, Baker Co. (FL) 2
Columbia (FL) 5, Colquitt Co. (GA) 1
Saturday
Ponte Vedra (FL) 16, Lowndes (GA) 6
Lincoln (FL) 7, Tift Co. (GA) 1
Chiles (FL) 6, Tift Co. (GA) 3
Lee Co. (GA) 12, Pace (FL) 8
Lee Co. (GA) 5, Clay (FL) 2
Colquitt Co. (GA) 10, Middleburg (FL) 0
Colquitt Co. (GA) 5, Baker Co. (FL) 1
Web Only /Recap
‘Cats bats come alive
by Lambert Bales
