Red Bay misses playoffs in loss to Lamar County
By Bart Moss for the FCT
The Red Bay Tigers missed an opportunity at another playoff run, losing two games to the Lamar County Bulldogs last week. Red Bay needed to win the series to make the playoffs.
The Tigers bats were on fire in game one of the series, winning 4-1, but fielding errors would plague Red Bay’s playoff chances, losing game two 2-1 and game three 5-0.
While disappointed, Red Bay coach Richard Maggerise is proud of the way his team played this year.
“Overall, I thought it was a very successful season,” said Maggerise. “Obviously we didn’t achieve all the goals we had as a team, but the players never gave up. We competed every day, and that is all I could ask for. It was a blast to be around these guys.
“These young men have a lot of class,” he added. “They have accomplished a lot. I believe they are going to continue accomplishing a lot as they move through life. They have what takes.
“We have a saying in our program that no matter what you do in life, always compete and never quit. That was my team.”
Red Bay 4, Lamar County 1
The Red Bay Tigers racked up 11 hits in a 4-1 win over the Lamar County Bulldogs in game one of a critical area series for both teams. The winner of the series would be the runner-up in the area and advance to the playoffs this week.
The Tigers got most of their production from the top of the lineup in Kaleb Burroughs and Kolby Bragwell. Burroughs went 3-for-4 with two RBIs and scored a run. Bragwell reached base three times, had two RBIs and scored a run. Skylar Brazil also scored two runs.
Landen Burgett got the win for Red Bay, pitching six innings, allowing only one hit, walking five and striking out seven.
Bragwell got the game off to an exciting start with a two-run home run scoring Burroughs.
The Tigers extended their lead to 3-0 in the top of the fourth inning when Burroughs singled in Brazil.
In the top of the sixth inning, Red Bay scored when Burroughs singled in Brazil.
Lamar County 2, Red Bay 1
Red Bay outhit Lamar County 8-3 in the game two of their series, but five fielding errors proved costly to the Tigers.
Lamar County scored a run in the top of the first and top of the fourth to take a 2-0 lead over Red Bay.
Red Bay scored their lone run in the bottom of the fifth when Max Bullen, who reached on a triple, scored on fielders choice.
Chandler Allen struck out 11 in the loss for Red Bay.
Lamar County 5, Red Bay 0
Game three of the series was a pitchers’ battle, with the game going scoreless in regulation. Lamar County finally broke through in the top of the eighth inning with five runs, beating Red Bay 5-0 and dashing the Tigers’ playoff hopes.
The Bulldogs scored all five runs with one out in the inning.
Bragwell got two hits for Red Bay. Allen, Hayden Murray and Bullen had one hit each.
