Bowdon Stays Undefeated With 13-1 Win Over Ranburne (AL)

I was in Bowdon, Georgia today to watch Bowdon High take on Ranburne High (Alabama). Bowdon was 20-0 before the start of this game and ranked #3 in the state in the AA classification. They were coming of a 17-1 dismantling of Temple High two days prior.

The Red Devils showed why they deserve that #3 ranking today as they run ruled the visiting Ranburne Bulldogs, 13-1.

#6 Daniel Gibbs, a junior, got the start for Bowdon on the mound and pitched a stellar game. In the 1^st inning, Ranburne was able to load the bases. After giving up three hits, Gibbs found himself in a 1 out, bases-loaded hole.

He got himself out of that hole though as he struck out the first batter and got the next batter to flyout to centerfield. This put us in the bottom of the first with the score still 0-0.

Bowdon also was able to load the bases in the first. The first batter, #26 junior Cason Parmer, struck out looking. #14, sophomore Colton Pitcock, then got it started with a walk.

#18, junior Jake Gilley, was then hit by a pitch putting runners on 1^st and 2^nd. A wild pitch then allowed them to advance to 3^rd and 2^nd base.

The next Bowdon batter struck out, but that was followed by another walk. This loaded the bases for #8, senior Aaron Bradley.

Ranburne’s pitcher, Dillon Wiggins, was bringing the heat the first inning and the Bowdon batters couldn’t keep up. Aaron Bradley ended up striking out, but the RHS catcher dropped the ball and then made a bad throw to 1^st. This allowed the first run of the game to score making it 1-0 Bowdon.

#4, sophomore Trajan Brown, then grounded out to 1^st base for the third out. This stranded three runners for BHS and moved us into the top of the 2^nd inning.

Ranburne did not get to bat very long as Daniel Gibbs was throwing his best stuff in this inning. The first batter reached on an error. However, he struck out 2 of the next 3 batters. The one he didn’t strike out, he got to flyout to second base. This put us in the bottom of the 2^nd inning.

#3, senior Curt Eidson, started off the inning for BHS. He struck out, but then #1, junior Levi Word, was walked. Cason Parmer then reached on a Ranburne error and eventually made it to 2^nd base. This put Word on 3^rd and Parmer on 2^nd with only one out.

Colton Pitcock couldn’t take advantage of the runners in scoring position as he also struck out. Then, Jake Gilley hit a 2RBI double to left-center field allowing Word and Parmer to score. This made the score 3-0 in favor of the Red Devils.

The next batter struck out and it ended the 2^nd inning. Dillion Wiggins had strikeouts for 5 of the first 6 outs. If you remember, it should have been 6 but the dropped ball by the catcher extended the inning in the 1^st. He was throwing some great pitches, but his defense wasn’t backing him up. This, paired with hits in crucial moments, allowed Bowdon to get out to their early lead.

In the 3^rd inning, Ranburne was able to get one run on the board as a leadoff double was followed by a single. The single was to right field and the ball was bobbled allowing the RHS runner to reach home. The play was deemed an error for the game, but the run still counts as an earned run against Gibbs.

That was the only run of the inning and the game for Ranburne, and this took us to the bottom of the 3^rd. This is when Bowdon’s dominance was evident as they exploded for 8 runs.

It was started off by #2, junior Reed Robinson, who reached on an error. This was followed by a fielder’s choice that retired Robinson but put Aaron Bradley on 1^st base.

Trajan Brown then nearly hit a homerun over the left field fence, bringing in a run all the way from 1^st base. He was able to reach 2nd on the hit, and then reach 3^rd on a wild pitch.

Curt Eidson then reached base by way of another Ranburne error. This put runners on 1^st and 3^rd with only one out.

Coach Todd Eubanks then called the squeeze and it played out to perfection for his Red Devils. Levi Word laid down an excellent bunt back to the pitcher, who bobbled it. This error allowed Levi Word to reach 1^st and it allowed Trajan Brown to score from 3^rd base.

Unfortunately, Aaron Bradley was thrown out at 3^rd on the play, but the throw moved Word over to 2nd. So, his bunt scored a run and moved him all the way to 2^nd. After the play, there were two outs, a runner on 2^nd base, and BHS was up 5-1. This was the last pitch for Dillon Wiggins of Ranburne as Blake Young came in for relief. Wiggins ended with 2.1 IP, 5 K’s, 3 walks, and gave up only 2 hits.

Next, Cason Parmer singled to left moving Word to 3^rd base. Parmer then stole 2^nd which put runners on 2^nd and 3^rd. Colton Pitcock laid down another bunt and then scurried down the base pad towards 1^st. The play was close, and after the umpires met behind the mound, they deemed him safe. This scored another run for Bowdon and it put runners on 1^st and 3^rd again.

Jake Gilley was then hit by a pitch for the second time in the game and this loaded the bases for #28, senior Matt Gresham. He capitalized on his opportunity and singled down the 3^rd base line for two RBIs. This made the score 9-1 in favor of the #3 team in the state (AA).

It was also followed by two more singles from Reed Robinson and Aaron Bradley, both responsible for an RBI. This made the score 11-1. Ranburne was now facing the 10 runs after 5 innings run rule.

Trajan Brown then flew out to 3^rd for the final out of the inning. The 8-run inning built up plenty of momentum for Bowdon, which proved to be too much for Ranburne.

Only 5 RHS batters saw the plate in the 4^th as Daniel Gibbs was still bringing the heat. After their 4^th at bat, Ranburne only had one more attempt to put up some runs before being run ruled.

In the bottom of the 4^th inning, Bowdon added two more runs. Curt Eidson singled and then Levi Word walked. Cason Parmer then hit a 2RBI double, scoring both Eidson and Word. This was followed by two more walks that loaded the bases. However, a fielder’s choice and then a flyout ended the inning with three Bowdon runners left on base.

This moved us to the top of the 5^th inning, Ranburne’s last chance. Down 13-1, they had to put up at least 3 runs to extend the game another inning. However, they could not do that against a new pitcher, junior Justin Ingle.

The game ended with Bowdon on top, 13-1. This made them 21-0 on the year and 7-0 in Region Play. They have now won their last 5 games by a combined score of 68-7. The next game for Bowdon is tomorrow, Friday the 15^th. They have a doubleheader on the road against Temple. The first game will start at 4:30 and the next game is scheduled for 7:00, but will start 30 minutes after the conclusion of the 1^st.

Daniel Gibbs got the win and pitched a total of 4 innings, gave up 6 hits, struck out 4 batters, and walked none. Justin Ingle ended up pitching just 1 inning and gave up one hit and struck out one batter.

Errors at the wrong time from Ranburne paired with hits at the right time from Bowdon proved to be a winning formula today for the Red Devils. They finished their day with 8 hits compared to Ranburne’s 7. Ranburne finished with 5 errors and Bowdon finished with 3.

Around the Region

After the Temple doubleheader tomorrow, Bowdon will face Heard County in a 3 game series. The first game will be on April 19^th at 5:30. Those will be followed by a doubleheader on April 22^nd starting at 5:00. The April 19^th game will be played at Heard County’s field and the doubleheader will be held at Bowdon High School.

Heard Co. just lost their first region game today against Bremen, bringing their region record to 7-1. If they are able to sweep Bowdon, then they will take home the regular season region title. Two wins by Heard Co. against Bowdon will give both teams 2 region losses. Even though Heard would have the head to head matchup, I believe Bowdon’s record would be enough for them to be awarded the regular season championship,

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