Big innings lift Andalusia past Red Level, 12-1

Andalusia scored in only two innings but saw its offense produce when it mattered the most and earned a 12-1 win against Red Level in varsity baseball action on Thursday, April 3.

The Bulldogs moved to 9-8-1 on the season, while the Tigers fell to 10-5.

Kielan Davis started on the mound and worked around a hit batter to strike out three in the top of the first. Row Thorn started a two-out rally in the bottom half before Grover Wells walked. Brock Skipper then induced a groundout and ended the scoring threat to keep the game scoreless at the end of an inning.

Skipper opened the second with a walk but was thrown out attempting to steal second. Wyatt Simmons doubled and advanced to third on a passed ball, but the Tigers could not break through.

The Bulldogs cranked up their offense with their first big inning of the day with seven runs in the bottom of the second. Will Dalton and Davis started with back-to-back singles as Mason Sheridan delivered the game’s first run with an RBI single and plated Dalton. Riley Cravey pushed the lead to three with a two-run double and scored Davis and Sheridan. The hit parade continued when Asher Bentley brought home Cravey. Bentley scored the fifth run on an error, and Thorn hustled to the plate on a wild pitch. Landen Butler capped the scoring with a sacrifice fly bringing in Wells for a 7-0 lead at the end of two innings.

Tanner Whatley reached on a miscue in the top of the third. Connor Blackwell walked before Buddy Griffin hit a single and loaded the bases with one out. Grayson Hodges rolled into a force play but cashed in Whatley and cut the deficit to 7-1. Davis took first on a defensive miscue, and Sawyer Hardy was hit by a pitch. After two outs, Bentley walked and filled the bases, but Griffin recorded a fly out and closed the inning.

Davis needed only 10 pitches as Red Level went quietly in the visiting fourth. Andalusia then came up with another big frame and scored five times in its half. Wells led off with a single, stole second, and moved to third on a groundout. Dalton extended the lead to 8-1 with an RBI single and brought in Wells. Hardy ripped an RBI double and scored Dalton with the ninth run. Courtesy runner Neillex Ferrell scored on a wild pitch before a balk sent Hardy home. Cravey scored the final run on an error and took the score to 12-1 at the end of four innings.

Davis had little trouble in the fifth and retired the side in order on just eight pitches this time as the game was called early.

Three Bulldogs enjoyed multi-hit performances at the plate. Bentley, Dalton, and Davis all finished 2-for- 3. Davis earned the win and allowed only one unearned run on two hits with six strikeouts in five innings.

Griffin was 1-for-1 and Simmons 1-for-2 as the two Tigers who recorded hits. Skipper threw 1 1/3 innings on the mound before Griffin pitched the final 2 2/3 innings.

Andalusia will travel to Excel on Monday, April 7, for a 5 p.m. game. Red Level begins an important area series at Brantley on Thursday, April 10, at 4:30 p.m.