The Coffee Trojans walked off the Toombs County Bulldogs Friday night at Charles Wilson Field in Douglas, winning 6-5 in the bottom of the seventh on a two-run single by catcher Payton Bryant in a game that the Trojans never led until the final run crossed the plate.
The Bulldogs struck in the top of the first, plating a run to take a 1-0 lead. Coffee tied the score in the bottom of the second when Carter McMillan hit a sacrifice fly to score Bryant from third. Bryant had led off the inning with a triple. The score would remain tied until the fourth when Toombs scored two to go up 3-1. The Bulldogs added a run in the fifth to build a 4-1 advantage.
The Trojans made a little noise with a two-run sixth. Toombs answered with a run in their half of the seventh to put the Trojans behind 5-3 with one at-bat remaining.
And Coffee didn’t waste any time.
Hunter Bennett led off the seventh with a double then moved to third on a wild pitch. Cannon Jones walked to give the Trojans runners on the corners with nobody out. Ben Roberts then hit an infield single on a 3-1 pitch. Bennett had to stay at third but the hit loaded the bases, still with no one out. After a Toombs pitching change, Michael Strickland reached on an error that scored Bennett. The run moved Coffee within one of Toombs.
That brought Bryant to the plate.
Facing a 3-1 count himself, he drove a single to centerfield that scored Jones and Roberts to win the game for the Trojans. Strickland and Bryant each had two hits, two RBI, and one run scored. Zae Smith walked twice and scored a run.
Gavin McElroy started for Coffee and lasted 3 2/3 innings. He gave up three runs (all earned), four hits, and two walks. He struck out four. He did not get the decision. The pitcher of record was Ben Fussell, who threw 3 1/3 innings and struck out six. He gave up a pair of runs, neither of which were earned. Fussell is 3-0 on the season.
Coffee has the rest of the weekend off. They return to action Monday on the road against Bacon County. The Trojans have rematches with Brantley County Tuesday at home (6 p.m.) and Thursday at Colquitt County. Region play begins Tuesday, March 12, against Greenbrier at home (5 p.m.).
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