The CCA Patriots clinched the region championship with a 5-3 win over the Southwest Georgia Academy Warriors Friday afternoon at Southwest Georgia. The win capped a great week for the Patriots that saw them win two other games by a combined score of 31-0 over Georgia Christian (15-0) and CHESS Academy (16-0). CCA is 18-8 and has three regular season games remaining.
The Warriors jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the second inning. The Patriots, however, answered two innings later with a four-run fourth inning. CCA loaded the bases in the fourth after a single by Case Snipes and walks Jackson Knight and Landon Williams. Hunter Hayes then singled on a 1-0 pitch that scored Snipes. Gray McLean followed with a single that drove in Knight and Hayes. Those two runs put the Patriots up 3-2. Thomas Gentry doubled to left, scoring Tyson Crosby who was pinch running for Hayes. When the inning ended, CCA was up 4-2.
With one out in the sixth, Hayes singled. Again, Crosby came in to pinch run. McLean walked and moved Crosby to second. Gentry singled, once again scoring Crosby. The Patriots were unable to add any runs that inning; however, they held on to a 5-2 advantage. SWGA attempted to mount a comeback in the bottom of the seventh. They made a little noise, getting three hits (all singles) and scoring a run. But they couldn’t overtake CCA and the Patriots came away with a 5-3 win and a region title.
McLean and Gentry each had two hits and two RBI. Snipes and Hayes also had a pair of hits.
Gentry was also the pitcher of record, earning the win with four innings of work. He gave up three hits, two runs (neither of which were earned), and one walk. He struck out two. Blake Bryant picked up the save for CCA. He gave up five hits, one unearned run, and no walks. He struck out six.
The Patriots finish the season next week. They face Grace Christian Academy (away, 4 p.m.) on Monday, Westwood (away, 4:30 p.m.) on Tuesday, and Robert Toombs Christian Academy (4:30 p.m., home) on Wednesday.