Local battery mates Anderson, Griffith lead Team Georgia
The Georgia Dugout Club’s Junior Team Georgia recorded its biggest win of the Sunbelt Classic Baseball Series Monday afternoon defeating Team Texas 4-0.
The shutout came with local battery mates Elliott Anderson and Lane Griffith working effectively together in the victory.
Anderson of Cartersville High School was the starting pitcher for Team Georgia and his starting catcher was Adairsville High School’s Griffith.
“Anderson was impressive on the mound,” said Team Georgia coach Todd Eubanks. “He has also been swinging a really good bat, so we’ve been using him in the DH spot when he’s not on the mound.”
Eubanks was equally excited about Griffith’s performance Monday afternoon against Texas.
“He called an outstanding game behind the dish,” Eubanks noted while praising Griffith, “What he gave us behind the plate today was really impressive."
Team Georgia took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first, then added a single run in the fifth and two more in the top of the seventh. Austin Wilhite had an RBI and Aaron Schunk had a pair of hits including an RBI double for Georgia in the win.
The other Team Georgia hits came from Kalen Puckett, Anderson, and Zack Miller.
Anderson started on the mound and pitched four innings in the shutout win. He allowed only 3 hits and a pair of walks while striking out two.
Matt Rowland worked the fifth and recorded the first two outs of the sixth inning in middle relief for Team Georgia before turning the pitching duties over to Aaron Schunk for the final four outs and the save.
Team Georgia improved to 4-2 in the prestigious national event. They now have victories over Team Canada, Team Missouri, Team Mississippi, and Team Texas with losses to Team Tennessee and Team Colorado.
Importantly, the win over Texas put Team Georgia in position to advance to the Sunbelt Classic championship game.
“We control our own destiny now,” said Eubanks. “As it stands right now, winning out would put us in the championship game against this same Texas team Wednesday.”
Team Georgia fell behind early, but came back to defeat Team Oklahoma Gold Monday night (June 8) 9-5 and has games against Team Arizona and Team Oklahoma Blue on Tuesday (June 9).
The Sunbelt Classic Baseball Series is in its 21st year and is played each year in McAlester and Wilburton, Oklahoma.
