Dale Ditches Panthers with 79 Pitches

The Gilmer Bobcats baseball team hosted the Panthers of Ridgeland, last Friday Night. Bobcat pitcher, Shane Dale, threw only 79 pitches that resulted in a Gilmer 5-1 victory. Dale’s dazzling performance began in the top of the first with a three up, three down pitiful Panthers’ performance. The bottom of the inning proved to be bountiful for the Bobcats, as Gilmer scored four runs in the inning. Marlen Hensley’s RBI a double drove in the first run. Sawyer Thompson had a sacrifice fly to drive in another run, Colt Henderson cleared the fence and the bases with a two run homer.

Two Ridgeland errors in the bottom of the second resulted in another Bobcat run, the last Gilmer score of the night. With a 5-0 lead, the Bobcats were able to rely on Dale’s dominance; however, the Bobcats’ bats struggled to produce runs. In the bottom of the sixth inning alone, Gilmer left three men stranded on base.

In the top of the fifth Ridgeland’s bats started to come alive. Ryan Lowery made a diving catch to save what looked like a sure hit for extra bases. The next batter hit a double off the wall in center. But the Bobcats settled thing down and got out of the inning, without giving up any runs.

With the score 5-0 going into the top of the sixth inning, Gilmer decided to stay with Dale on the mound. The Panthers picked up the pace in the fifth, and went into the sixth with a bit of offensive rhythm. Ridgeland scored its first and only in the top of the sixth. The Panthers appeared to be on the prowl, with bases loaded and one out; however, Gilmer turned an infield double play to end the inning.

Dale would not get the call in the 7th to protect the 5-1 lead. Coach Barr looked to Thompson to close out the 7AAA Region contest, and he was able to protect the lead and procure the save with three straight strike outs.

In six innings of work Dale threw 79 pitches with seven strike outs and only two walks.