By Thomas Grant Jr.
Through the first week of Region 4-4A play, Airport baseball has swept its first two series.
The Eagles opened with a 7-2 win over Aiken on March 11. Daniel Butts drove in two runs, including a solo home run in the second inning.
Hunter Epps struck out six and held the Hornets to just three hits in a complete game victory.
The following night, Brice Gillette went 3-5 with three RBI and Brandon Gross went 3-4 with two RBI in a 15-3 win. On the mound, Gillette struck out six and allowed eight hits in 5 2/3 innings.
Up next was a 2-game series with South Aiken. Pitcher Cash Epps struck out nine batters and allowed just four hits in a 4-1 victory.
Isahia Clemons drove in three RBI, including a two-run single, to lead the Eagles. On Monday, Airport completed the sweep with a 16-0 win in three innings to improve to 4-0 in region play.
Daniel Butts had a 2-run homer and he and Brice Gillette, who batted 4-4, both drove in three runs. Justin Sightler, Caden Hatfield and Clemons all had two RBI and Epps allowed just three hits in a shutout.
The Eagles opened a 2-game series with Midland Valley, followed by two games against North Augusta.
Gators’ Bonnette gets 250th career victory
The River Bluff baseball team are off to a 7-2 start as it began Region 4-5A play Tuesday against White Knoll.
In the process, the Gators earned head coach Mark Bonnette his 250th career victory. He picked up the victory during the Opterra Sports Invitational in which River Bluff went 3-1.
Since reaching the milestone, the Gators have won four straight games. The streak started with a 3-2 win over Mauldin as Ray Kastner struck out seven batters.
River Bluff then closed out the tournament with a 4-0 shutout over Berkeley. The trio of Peyton Hewitt, Walker Goodwin and Brooks Peloso combined for six strikeouts and allowed three hits.
On March 12, River Bluff shut out Fairfield Central 15-0 in three innings. Ashley Powell went 2-2 with three RBI, including a 2-run homer and eight other Gators drove in at least one run.
The next night saw the Gators defeat Powdersville 8-3 at Fluor Field at Clemson University. Sam Turner went 2-3 with three RBI, Zach Ortiz went 3-3 with an RBI and Dominick Norton drove in two runs.
River Bluff baseball coach Mark Bonnette. Photo by Mark Bonnette
