The Jackson County Panthers were looking to end their season on a positive note, and to come away with their first winning season overall in at least a decade when they traveled to Lawrenceville to face the Archer Tigers last Thursday.
That’s exactly what they came home with, as they defeated Archer 16-2 in five innings.
The Panthers started the night off by scoring on a sac fly from Quinn Grogan that brought Rob Williams home, and put Jackson County ahead 1-0.
The Panthers next scored three runs in the top of the second, when Austin Robinson scored on a wild pitch. Pinch runner Austin Gabriel would score on a wild pitch as well.
Following a scoreless third inning, Jackson County had a big inning in the fourth. Austin Robinson hit a single between third and the shortstop that scored two runs. Quinn Grogan walked with the bases loaded to add another run to the tally. Rob Williams scored on a balk and John Florentine scored when Trey Sorrells grounded out to short. Another wild pitch brought Grogan home. Ken Miller scored on a passed ball and Zach Sticher scored when pinch hitter John Fernandez reached on an error. In all, eight Jackson County runs were scored in the top of the fourth.
The Tigers would try to close the gap in the bottom of the inning. With the aid of two errors, Archer got their first two runs on the board.
The Panthers would answer in the top of the fifth. Austin Robinson scored off of a sac fly from Josh Andrews. A pinch hit from Jonathan Filpo scored Rob Williams. Miller added an RBI single, and Sticher added an RBI sac fly.
The game ended on the ten-run rule after five innings, with the Panthers winning 16-2.
Austin Robinson recorded his seventh win of the season, putting up a record of 7-3 on the year. Ryan Shekey pitched a scoreless, hitless fifth inning.
The Panthers ended their season 13-12.
For more on this story, see Wednesday's edition of The Jackson Herald or The Braselton News.
