Lathrop’s walk-off single lifts unbeaten Bulldogs past Paxton

Published 11:00 am Monday, March 6, 2023

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Jack Lathrop delivered a walk-off single in the bottom of the seventh inning as Andalusia remained unbeaten with a 4-3 baseball win over Paxton at home Tuesday, Feb. 28.

Andalusia senior pitcher Conner Brooks sends a pitch to home plate for the Bulldogs in a contest against Paxton Tuesday. Brooks earned the win with a complete game, striking out six batters. (PHOTO COURTESY OF STACY BROOKS)

The Bulldogs moved to 7-0 overall, while the Bobcats fell to 0-2 on the season.

Conner Brooks quickly retired the side on five pitches in the top of the first. AHS was unable to take advantage of three two-out walks in its half, as the contest remained scoreless. Lane Carroll had a single in the visiting second but was stranded following a flyout. Mason Meeks earned a one-out walk in the bottom of the frame and stayed put following two flyouts. PHS took a 1-0 lead in the top of the third when Carson Leddon led off with a double and scored on a sacrifice fly from Collin Stewart. Brooks eluded further damage and left two runners aboard.

Riley Cravey opened the last of the third with a single to left and scored the tying run on a passed ball. Both starting pitchers settled in, as the score remained 1-1 until the bottom of the sixth. Dylan Jackson cashed in Lathrop and Garrett Blackston with a two-run single through the right side and gave Andalusia a 3-1 lead after six. Paxton stayed alive with a two-out rally in the visiting seventh. Stewart brought home Logan Eller and Leddon with a single into left and tied the score at 3-3.

Parker Adams began the home half with a single and advanced to second on an error. Cravey reached on another miscue, and Walsh was intentionally walked. Lathrop hit the first pitch he saw into right, as Adams crossed the plate with the winning run.

Lathrop led the Bulldogs with a 1-for-2 showing at the plate. Jackson finished 1-for-3 with two RBIs, while Adams and Cravey each went 1-for-4 in the win. Brooks earned the win with a complete-game effort and allowed three earned runs on six hits. The senior struck out six and did not walk a batter. Leddon paced the Bobcats in the batter’s box at 2-for-2 and scored twice. Stewart enjoyed a 1-for-3 day with three RBIs. Trevor Varnum took the loss with one inning in relief and gave up three runs (two earned) on three hits.

AHS returns to the field Monday, March 6, with a JV and varsity doubleheader against Flomaton beginning at 4 p.m.