South Panola batters managed just 2 runs in 22 innings

By Brad Greer

In baseball, good pitching beats good hitting, and when two equally solid pitching staffs meet, something has to give.

That was the case as Hernando and South Panola tangled in the second round of the North 6A State baseball playoffs Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.

Unfortunately for the SP Tigers  their season came to an end as Hernando blanked South Panola 4-0 Saturday in the third and deciding game of the best-of-three series.

South Panola managed just two runs in 22 innings, and one of those was on a wild pitch.

Both pitching staffs combined to give up six runs in the 22 innings as South Panola took game one of the series 1-0 in eight innings Thursday while Hernando took game two 3-1 Friday at Hernando, and 4-0 here Saturday.

Game 1

SP 1, Hernando 0

Dawson Griffin raced home from third on a wild pitch in the bottom of the eighth inning to give South Panola a thrilling 1-0 victory.

Blaine Ware (7-1) threw a superb eight innings, giving up five hits while striking out five to earn the win.

Braydyn Lee doubled while Griffin, Mari Boyd and Wes Morgan provided singles.

Game 2

Hernando 3, SP 1

Ben Brantley’s two-run home run in the bottom of the first inning turned out to be the game-winner for Hernando in game two Friday that evened up the series.

Gulf Coast Community College signee Conner Spencer spun a complete game two-hitter while fanning 11 batters.

South Panola’s lone run came in the sixth as Morgan reached first on a wild pitch after striking out then later scored on Griffin’s groundout.

Griffin (6-2) took the tough luck loss on the mound, surrendering three runs (two earned) on three hits with five strikeouts and two walks.

Game 3

Hernando 4, SP 0

Hernando struck for two runs in the top of the first and rode the arm of Brantley, a Louisiana Tech signee, to the series victory.

South Panola (22-7) collected five hits as Dre’Moore registered two singles while Boyd, Ware and Gage Heath added singles.

Luke Weldon (6-2) gave up four runs (three earned) with three strikeouts, but was tagged with the loss. Bowen Williams fanned five batters in four innings of scoreless relief.

Hernando(21-7) takes on Northwest Rankin in the North State semi-final round beginning Thursday.