By Michael A. Lough

The Sports Report

centralgasports@gmail.com

Class AA

Edmund Burke 7, Gatewood 6

          Gatewood was three outs away from repeating as state champs.

          But Edmund Burke took advantage of three straight walks to open the bottom of the seventh, and then a fielder’s choice grounder for a run, another walk for a run, and then a game-ending error allowing the winning run in for a three-run seventh, forcing a winner-take-all game.

          Weather permitting, that will be around 1 p.m. on Saturday.

          The Spartans loaded the bases with no outs in the bottom of the seventh, and the Gators walked in a run. Gatewood got an out on a fielder’s choice grounder, third baseman Brady Haley nailing the runner at the plate to prevent the tie but keeping the bases loaded.

          But the Gators promptly walked in another run, the seventh walk of the game given up by Gatewood. And then an error on a grounder on the first pitch to Brooks Broxton allowed the game-winning run to stroll in, still with only one out.

          Edmund Burke led 4-2 after two, the Gators tying it up in the third on Lawson Wooten’s double, bringing in Ames Johnson.

          Single runs in the fourth – scoring during an inning-ending double play - and fifth – Wooten drove in  Johnson again - put Gatewood on top 6-4, the Gators with almost a 3-1 hits advantage.

          They had 10 hits to 3 for the Spartans, but also 3 errors and 7 walks, leading to 2 unearned runs.

          Hunter Johnson, Johnson, and Wooten each had 2 hits for Gatewood, Wooten with 2 RBI.

Friday

          The Gatewood-Edmund Burke game ended at 3:30 p.m., and the rain’s intensity increased, putting the day’s schedule in a solid delay.

          Until a bit after five, when the GIAA announced that the second AAA game was moved to Monday, Class A game 3 to Saturday at 1 p.m., and Class AA’s championship to 4 p.m. on Saturday.

          At that point, hopes were to get the FPD-Edmund Burke game in, starting around 7 p.m.

          FPD and Brookwood were already looking at Monday for a third game – the GIAA had yet to note as much until the weather changes - because of Saturday graduations, FPD at 1 p.m. and Brookstone at 8 p.m.

          But the hopes were dashed with the update a little after 6 p.m. that FPD and Brookstone would play Monday at 4, with the if-necessary game after.

          Saturday’s schedule remained intact (Games 3s for Class A at 1 p.m., Class AA at 4 p.m.). Class AAA resumes on Monday at 10 a.m., and right after, if needed.

Class A: Flint River 10, Robert Toombs 0; Game 3, Saturday, 10 a.m.