21 outs. That’s all the CCA Patriots need in order to capture the GIAA Class A state baseball championship after Thursday’s win over the Vidalia Heritage Academy Eagles in Columbus. The #1-ranked Patriots defeated the #7-seed (and region foe) Eagles 13-0 in five innings behind a 75-pitch complete-game one-hitter from junior Blake Bryant.
The Patriots scored two runs with two outs in the bottom of the first on a single to left by Jonathan Rutland. Thomas Gentry and pinch runner Tyson Crosby scored on the play. It was the next inning, though, where the real damage was done. The Patriots scored seven runs on three hits to go up 9-0, effectively putting the Eagles away. Gentry walked with the bases loaded to score the first run. Bryant followed with a sacrifice fly to score the second run of the inning. Eighth grader Clay Phillips singled, scoring two. Rutland drove in another on a single. The bases still loaded, Luke Russ walked to add another run to CCA’s tally. The final run of the inning came on a sacrifice fly by Landon Williams.
The Patriots scored one in the third and three more in the fourth to take a 13-0 lead. Bryant allowed a walk – his only free pass of the game – in the fifth inning. But that’s all the Eagles would get. After the final out of the inning, a ground out to second, the game ended via run rule.
Bryant allowed one hit and one walk. He struck out 10.
Rutland led the way offensively with a 3-3 day. He drove in four and scored one. Phillips was 2-3 with three RBI and a run scored. Gavin McLean, Gentry, and Williams each scored twice.
CCA and Vidalia Heritage face off again Friday at 10 a.m. Game three, if necessary, will take place Saturday at 10 a.m.