Photo: Airport players celebrate following Rylan Bullis’ 3-run homer in the 6th inning
By Thomas Grant Jr.
Returning to action after Spring Break, Gray Collegiate baseball looked to solidify its first-place hold in Region 5-4A.
To achieve that goal, the War Eagles needed to defeat for a second time in 10 days defending Class 4A champion Airport.
The Eagles spent the past week getting battle-tested in three games at the Forest Acres Classic at A.C. High School. They split versus ranked Class 5A teams River Bluff and Dorman and dropped a one-run game to tournament champion T.C. Roberson.
Such a gauntlet helped inspire Airport during its two-hour, 55-minute slugfest with Gray Collegiate. Trailing as many as four runs and rallying twice, the Eagles prevailed in eight innings 10-9.
It was the first region loss for the War Eagles (14-3-1, 9-1). As for Airport (15-4, 8-2), it moved within a game of first place with four region games left and tied with Wednesday’s opponent Gilbert for second place.
“That’s a reason we play those games,” said Airport head coach Craig Bradwell after participating in the Forest Acres Classic every year. “To get experience in playing tight games. This region is really good. We play really close games against everybody, but definitely last week (helped us). And we were on the wrong side of it last week. One time, we won one (9-8 over River Bluff in eight innings), but we lost a game we gave up (5-4 to T.C. Robertson) and we’ve talked about the little things and what wins and losses baseball games.
“To be honest, we didn’t do a lot of the little things tonight and we need to still clean up some stuff. But, that’s the thing. You’ve got to play all 21 outs or however many outs we played tonight and make them get us out 24 times and see what happens.”
Providing a major lift for Airport’s offense was senior Rylan Bullis. He contributed six RBI off three hits, including a game-tying 3-run homer in the sixth inning.
Bullis was also the winning pitcher after throwing the final four innings in relief. He put Airport ahead 2-0 in the first inning with a bases-loaded 2-run double.
Gray Collegiate Academy starter Zak Perry rebounded with three straight strikeouts to end the half inning.
The War Eagles turned the tables in the Bottom 1st. They loaded the bases on Airport starter Cash Epps and came away with four runs to take the lead.
After a Perry RBI single made it 5-2, the Eagles got RBI singles from Austin Rhodus and Gabe Ingram in the Top 5th. Gray Collegiate Academy responded with three runs to go up 8-4.
Braydon Sox entered the game in the Top 6th looking to bring the War Eagles close to victory. He got into trouble immediately after hitting Braden Gross, walking Isahia Clemons and giving up an RBI double to Landon Jeffcoat.
Bullis came to the plate and reached out to send a lofty flyball that carried over the leftfield fence to tie the game.
“We put ourselves in a bad situation in that game, down 8-4,” he said. “But we knew we had to come back to win it. We’ve got to win it one by one. You can’t go big hit. I didn’t think about that. I thought about straight hit and it happened.”
Gray Collegiate Academy regained the lead in the Bottom 7th. Logan Stroules was hit by Bullis, stole second, advanced to third on a fielding error and scored on Gross’ sacrifice fly.
Sox was replaced in JP Sweatt after hitting Ingram to open the seventh inning. Airport loaded the bases following a walk by Gross and Clemons reaching on an error.
After Sweatt fanned Jeffcoat, Bullis tied the game with a sacrifice fly. This forced extra innings after Bullis retired the War Eagles in order.
With one out in the Top 8th, Rhodus reached first on a fielder’s choice. As he looked to steal second base, Daniel Butts swung at a dropped third strike.
As catcher Craig Burgess retrieved the ball, his throw went past first baseman Kole Gordon for an error. This allowed Rhodus to round the bases for what turned into the game-winning run.
Gray Collegiate Academy had a final opportunity to tie with Sproles on first with two outs. However, Perry hit into an infield groundout to Clemons to end the game.
Both teams have four region games left. Airport opened a critical 2-game series versus Gilbert Wednesday and finishes with two games against Brookland-Cayce.
Gray Collegiate Academy has the same two teams in reverse order starting Wednesday as well.
Former War Eagle coach now at ALA Blythewood
When the new charter school opens this fall in Blythewood, Matt Hornsby will be in charge of the baseball program.
After one season as Gray Collegiate Academy baseball coach and leaving the program before this season, Hornsby was hired for a similar position with American Leadership Academy/Blythewood.
The school will have a similar curriculum as fellow charter school member ALA Lexington. The school was also scheduled at Tuesday’s S.C. High School League meeting to appeal for membership.
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