Lanier High Baseball: Recaps: VARSITY RECAPS
Lanier 6, Hamilton County 5
In Jasper, Florida #6 Lanier opened up the season with a 6-5 win over the Hamilton County Tojans. Lanier jumped out on top in the 1st inning, 2-0 from RBI singles from Ethan Mcrae and Greg Sealey. The Trojans first run came in the 3rd, from a walk and an error. Lanier tacked on two more runs in the 4th when Ryan Allen and Nathan Bass both singled in runs to go up 4-1. Lanier added another run in the 5th to take a 5-2 lead. Starter, Ethan Mcrae went 5 2/3 innings and allowed two earned runs, when he left the game tied at 5-5. Reliever, Nathan Bass came in and held the Trojans scoreless to earn his first win of the season. Ryan White delivered with a RBI double to take a 6-5 lead in the sixth. Bass, Allen, and Mcrae each collected two hits for Lanier. White was 1 for 1 with 3 walks and 3 runs scored. Greg Sealey hit the ball hard, despite going 1 for 3. The loss drops Hamilton County to (5-2) on the year.
Lanier 8, Aucilla Christian 0
In Aucilla, Florida the #6 Bulldogs made an impressive showing against Acilla Christian Academy (6-1), who finished in the (FLA) state final four a year ago. Junior, Ryan Allen pitched a 2 hit shutout and struck out 8. Allen threw well in his first outing of the year, only throwing 81 pitches through seven innings. In the 1st, Ryan White led off the game with a hit before he was doubled up on a great defensive catch by the Warrior's rightfielder. Ethan Mcrae followed up with a double off the centerfield fence. Greg Sealey drove him in on a RBI double to give Lanier a 1-0 lead. In the 3rd, White singled and scored on Mcrae's second hit of the game to make it 2-0. Aucilla escaped further damage after getting out a bases loaded jam. In the 4th, Wayne Palmer got on with a single. Ryan White later reached on an error, and Ryan Allen came through with a clutch RBI single. Mcrae doubled to leftcenter. In the 5th, Milton Gloster and Greg Sealey both reached on hits, allowing Freshmen Josh Fender to drive in multiple RBI's to make it 7-0. The Bulldogs scratched another run in the 7th. Overall, our kids played a solid defensive game. Our older kids continued to play well, and the younger ones looked more relaxed. Coach White said, "Were still experiencing growing pains as we start two seniors, two juniors, six sophmores and a freshmen. But, our younger kids showed alot heart today."
Lanier 7, Charlton County 1
#6 Lanier defeats Charlton County behind the pitching of sophmore, Nathan Bass. In his first start of the year, Bass shielded 4 hits, 0 walks, and struckout 6. Lanier jumped ahead in the 2nd inning as Greg Sealey singled and scored on an RBI single from Milton Gloster. The Bulldogs struck for six more runs in the 3rd inning with big hits from Greg Sealey, Nathan Bass, and Ethan Mcrae. Gloster led Lanier at the plate with 3 hits and Greg Sealey drove in 2 runs. Defensively, the Dawgs continued to play well as Milton Gloster, Ryan White, Greg Sealey, and Wayne Palmer played outstanding. For the second game in a row, Lanier committed no errors. Coach White's statements about the game, "I was glad to see that were still playing pretty well defensively. But, offensively we need to cut down on the number of runners were leaving in scoring position. Were going to have to score those runs to be competitive come region time. But altogether, I'm proud of the total team effort! Charlton County played much better tonight as they will make some great strides as the season progresses."
Lanier 2, Schley County 6
In Lakeland, #6 Lanier dropped their first game of the year to #7 Schley County. Lanier jumped out to an early lead as Ryan White scored in the 1st inning to give Lanier a 1-0 lead. Schley then tied the game an inning later on a Bulldog catching error. Lanier re-gained the lead again in the 2-1 in the 3rd. In the 4th, Ethan Mcrae just missed a 3-run homerun which could have put Lanier in business. But, Schley came roaring back with three runs, all with two outs in the 5th and Lanier never recovered. The Bulldogs blew several opportunities to tie the game. One came in the 5th, when Greag Sealey was thrown out at the plate on a bang-bang play. Another Bulldog baserunning mistake in the 6th which cost Lanier another run. Schley scored two runs late in the game from a couple walks and a hit. Ryan Allen (Lanier) and Jeremy Royal (Schley) both pitched well. Lanier was led at the plate by Ryan White and Nathan Bass, who were both 2-for-3 on the day. Coach White stated, "Overall, we played a very poor game, and I credit Schley County for taking advantage of every mistake we made. They have very solid team." Lanier will be back on the road next Friday, March 10th at #2 Atkinson County to open up the Region 1A schedule.
Lanier 4, Atkinson County 7
In Pearson, the #8 Lanier fell to #3 Atkinson County. The Bulldogs stuggled early from defense and pitching. Starter, Ryan Allen allowed 2 hits, 2 walks, and allowed 5 unearned runs as Lanier dug theirselves to big a hole to climb out of. Nathan Bass came on in relief and faced two batters before being pulled. Ethan Mcrae appeared next and managed to slow the Rebels down offensively before Ryan White finished out the game. White retired the Rebels in order over the last two innings. Trailing 7-0 in the 6th inning, Lanier made a late run as they managed to put three score three from a double from Ryan White and a single by Ethan Mcrae. In the Bulldogs last at bat in the 7th inning, Johnny Hunt doubled and Jordan Patten singled. Ryan White drove in two runs to make it 7-4. Greg Sealey had a chance to drive in another run as he ended the game flying out the left field. Lanier had 6 hits to Atkinson's 3, but the Bulldogs made way to many mistakes to win the game. Ryan White led both teams at the plate with 2 hits and 2 RBI.
Lanier 9, Baconton 5
In Baconton, the #8 Bulldogs took a pair of region games from the Blazers, 9-5 and 7-2. The much Blazers hunt tight with Lanier in both games and they seem to have a much needed turn around in their program. In game one Lanier used four pitchers, allowed 5 hits, but was still very shakey on defense at critical times. Lanier broke open a 3-2 lead in the 6th with a 2 RBI double from Ryan White. Greg Sealey followed him up with another 2 RBI double. White, Sealey, and Hunt each collected 2 hits apiece, leading Lanier at the plate in game one. Milton Gloster played exceptionally well on defense. Ethan Mcrae (1-0) was the winning pitcher in game one for Lanier.
Lanier 7, Baconton 2
In game two, #8 Lanier allowed 2 unearned runs in the first two innings before Ryan Allen came on in relief and closed the door, allowing 1 hit over the last 4 innings of work, and struck out 10 batters. Ethan Mcrae lifted Lanier offensively in the 3rd with a 3-run homerun. Ryan White started the Bulldogs off with a ground run double and Sealey was intentonally walked before Mcrae deliver with two outs. In the 4th inning, the Bulldogs put 4 more runs across the plate. Coach White thoughts about the games, "We got to play alot of kids and were still looking for the right combination that will enable us to be as good as I think we can be. Wayne Palmer, Codey Fricke and Joran Patten each had quality at bats throughout the ballgame. And, we play much better defensively the second game."
Lanier 15, Echols 1
In Statenville, #8 Lanier picked up their sixth win of the year with a 15-1 victory at Echols County. The Dawgs jumped out on top 5-0 in the 1st inning as Nathan Bass hit his first homerun of the year, a 3-run jack. Offensively, Lanier was led by Nathan Bass, Ryan Allen, and Ethan Mcrae who each was 3-for-4 on the day. Milton Gloster collected two hits as well. Mcrae also had a pair of doubles. On the mound, Ethan Mcrae and Ryan White limited the Wildcats to two hits, and picked off two. White (1-0) recorded his first win of the year. Junior, Greg Sealey left the game in the 2nd inning with a knee injury.
Lanier 5, Ware Magnet 4
LAKELAND - The #8 ranked Bulldogs handed Ware County Magnet their first region loss of the year as junior, Ryan Allen dominated the game through the first four innings, striking out 9 Eagle batters. The Bulldogs added some early run support as Lanier jumped out to a 3-0 lead. In the 2nd, Ryan Allen singled and scored on a RBI by Johnny Hunt. In the 3rd, Ethan Mcrae hit a 2-run homerun over the scoreboard in left-center field to put the Bulldogs up 3-0. The Eagles struck back for two runs in the 4th inning, as Ryan allowed a leadoff walk, gave up a bloop single, and a pass ball. Lanier scored again in the 4th to make it 4-2, as Milton Gloster walked, stole second, and scored on an Ealge throwing error. Lanier missed a big scoring opportunity in the 5th, which came back to haunt us later in the game. In the 5th, Lanier made an error, and allowed another bloop single that scored a run to cut the Lanier lead to 4-3. Ethan Mcrae took to the mound in the 6th and pitched well before a crucial two-out error in leftfield allowed Ware Magnet to tie that game at 4-4. Nathan Bass came on in relief and struck out the the number four hitter to end the inning. Lanier scored the winning run in the bottom half of the 7th, as Jordan Patten walked and scored on a RBI single by Ethan Mcrae. Both teams could have played better defensively, as each committed two errors in the game. Mcrae, Allen, and Sealey all led Lanier at the plate with 2 hits apiece. Starter, Ryan Allen pitched 6 innings strong innings and struck out 9. Nathan Bass (3-0) picked up the win in relief.
Lanier 9, Pelham 3
PELHAM - Class A, #8 Lanier County improved their record to (8-2 overall, 5-1 region) as they defeated Pelham, 9-4 in a region matchup. The Bulldogs trailed 2-0 early in the game as starter, Nathan Bass struggled with his control. He walked 4 and allowed 1 hit. Ryan Allen came on in relief and struck out a Pelham batter to escape further damage. Allen pitched two innings before Ryan White took the mound in the 3rd and finished the game. White (2-0) allowed 1 hit, a solo homerun, and struck out 9 Hornet batters. He struck out four of the Hornets' best hitters to seal the win. The Bulldogs rallied in the 3rd inning for 6 runs with two outs, when Greg Sealey drilled a 2 RBI double and Nathan Bass followed through with a 2 RBI single. Lanier added another run in the 5th on another RBI by Nathan Bass. In the 7th, the Bulldogs scored two more runs from two hits by Nathan Bass and Milton Gloster. Johnny Hunt drove in Lanier's last run on an RBI single. Hunt was 3-for-4 in the game, while Sealey picked up a pair of hits. Milton Gloster and Nathan Bass both had big hits in the game. Ethan Mcrae left the game in the top of the 1st inning with a shoulder injury and never returned.
Lanier 16, Echols 0
LAKELAND - #7 Lanier County scored quick and often as they pounded the Echols County pitching staff for 16 runs, in a four inning game that was shortened by the mercy rule. Bulldog starter, Nathan Bass (4-0) threw a no hitter and allowed just one walk on the afternoon. Ryan White was the leading hitter for the Bulldogs, picking up three hits and scoring three times in four at bats. Greg Sealey, Ryan Allen, Jordan Patten, and JT Norwood led the team in runs batted in with two RBI apiece. Catcher, Ethan Mcrae did not play as he remain injured with his right shoulder. Lanier County improved to (6-1 region, 9-2 overall) with the win.
Lanier 17, Clinch 1
HOMERVILLE - Lanier County shook off a solo homerun in the 1st inning to roll past Clinch County, 17-1 in five innings. The Bulldogs took an early 1-0 lead in the top of the 1st inning, as Milton Gloster scored on Ethan Mcrae's RBI double. In the 3rd inning, Lanier's bats heated up as they struck for 6 runs in the inning. Greg Sealey had an RBI single, Ethan Mcrae added another RBI double, and Nathan Bass added a 2 RBI single. Clinch made two critical errors in the inning to give Lanier more scoring opportunities. The Bulldogs added 4 more runs in the 4th inning and 6 more in the 5th. At the plate, Ethan Mcrae was a perfect 3-for-3 with 3 doubles and 3 RBI, Greg Sealey was 2-for-4 with 2 RBI, Nathan Bass was 3-for-4 with 2 RBI, and Ryan Allen was 3-for-4 with 2 RBI. Milton Gloster scored 4 times in the game. Ethan Mcrae (2-0) was the game's winning pitcher. He struggled somewhat with his control but only managed to give up 1 hit, while striking out 2. Ryan Allen and Nathan Bass both pitched well in relief.
