Wildcats split region doubleheader at Paulding County after coaching change

On a day that began with sunny skies and game time temperatures in the lower 40s, the temperatures eventually dipped near the freezing mark and Woodland split a Region 7-AAAAA doubleheader at Paulding County.

Woodland won the opener 4-1, but Paulding County outlasted the Wildcats in the nightcap 6-5 in extra innings.

PHOTO: Zach Wilson had three hits and three RBIs in Woodland's doubleheader Wednesday at Paulding County.

In addition, as of Tuesday, Colby Coursey is no longer the head coach of the Wildcats. Assistant Matt Montgomery has replaced Coursey as the interim head coach.

A reason for the change was not provided by the school. Bartow County School System spokesperson Alisha Evans wrote in an emailed statement Wednesday to The Daily Tribune News, "As customary with personnel matters and out of respect for Bartow County School System employees and their privacy, the District respectfully declines to comment on the recent Woodland High School baseball coaching change."

Woodland Athletic Director John Howard confirmed Coursey is still a Bartow County employee but no longer the head baseball coach.

Baseball continues, however, and Woodland scored a single run in the fourth inning of the opener without benefit of a hit.

J.T. Hampton entered as a courtesy runner after catcher Bailey Ward wangled a base on balls. Hampton advanced to third on a wild pitch and defensive indifference and eventually scored on another wild pitch.

The Wildcats added a run in the fifth when Zach Wilson singled to open the frame and Peyton Posey doubled him home.

Wilson smacked a two-run home run to left field to add on in the bottom of the sixth inning.

The Patriots threatened in the top of the seventh scoring a run and had the potential go-ahead run to the plate, but the rally was thwarted when the final out was recorded in a rundown between home and third after a Marco Lopez RBI single.

Koby Stansel (6 IP, 0R, 2H, 5BB, 4K) started on the mound for Woodland and earned the win. Peyton Posey (1 IP, 1R, 0ER, 2H, 1BB, 2K) worked the final frame for the Wildcats.

Wilson and Scotty Smith finished with two hits. Posey and Ben Ammons had the other Woodland base hits. Four Patriots finished with one hit each.

In Game 2, Woodland out hit the Patriots ten to five but Paulding County came away with the victory. Paulding County took a 3-1 lead through three innings before Woodland gained a 4-3 lead in the top of the fifth. The Patriots went ahead 5-4 in the bottom of the fifth, but the Wildcats sent the game to an extra inning with a run in the seventh. After Woodland failed to score in the top of the eighth, Paulding County took advantage of two walks, a wild pitch, and an error to plate the game-winning run. Woodland’s Bailey Ward (2.1 IP, 1ER, 2H, 2BB, 5K) was saddled with the pitching loss in relief of starter Ben Ammons (5 IP, 5ER, 4H, 5BB, 7K). Toby Queen had two hits for the Wildcats with one RBI. Carter Heath and Koby Stansel both doubled and had one RBI apiece. Fisher Davis (RBI), Zach Wilson (RBI), Carter Heath (RBI), Phoenix Cramer, and Scotty Smith added one hit each for the Wildcats. Paulding utilized four pitchers in their win with Robbie Reeves (2.2 IP, 1ER, 3H, 2B, 3K) earning the decision. Karson Cofer homered for the Patriots. Jacob Harper had a three RBI game for Paulding County. Paulding County is now 2-4 overall and 1-1 in Region 7-AAAAA. Woodland (3-5, 1-1) hosts Rome Friday at 5:55 p.m.