Bulldoggs sweep Jackson County in back-to-back battles
Winder-Barrow left-handed pitcher Ayden Hall (26) pitches the ball during a high school baseball game between Winder-Barrow and Jackson County at Jackson County High School in Hoschton, Georgia, on Friday, March 21, 2025. Winder-Barrow won 9-8. (Photo/Landen Todd)
On Friday evening, March 21, Winder-Barrow beat Jackson County 9-8 in eight innings for the first game in the two-game Region 8-5A series at Jackson County High School.
“We've been in these extra inning games, we've been on this up and down roller coaster and the experience that we've had, they know how to get through it,” said Winder-Barrow Head Coach Brian Smith. “I feel the confidence of being there before made a difference for tonight.”
In the second inning, the Bulldoggs scored four runs, capitalizing on four walks and leading to Winder-Barrow’s Landon DuBose hitting a two-run shot to right field.
Senior Cam Hodge hit a solo home run to left field in the seventh inning to make the lead 8-7.
“Two very good hitters if we get them hot at the same time, watch out.” Smith said.
The Bulldoggs had four errors on the day and pitching struggles in two out situations, which allowed the Panthers to tie it back up in the fourth and seventh innings.
Smith said it’s always the next play and the Bulldoggs made mistakes, but they stayed composed.
Winder-Barrow’s Brett Bennett came in clutch in the eighth inning hitting a sacrifice fly for Dubose to jog in to take the lead.
“Brett's just a good hitter, that's why he's in the middle of our order, and I have as much confidence in him as anybody,” Smith said.
Winder-Barrow’s Dom Lordo closed the game by striking out the side.
“When guys do things right all the time in their preparation, they deserve to be rewarded, so I love to see a guy like Dom get rewarded for all the work that he's put in,” Smith said.
The Bulldoggs' four pitchers allowed four runs on 10 hits from the Panthers.
“We know there are going to come back at us strong,” Smith said. “We are ready, and our guys are hungry right now.”
GAME TWO
On Monday evening, March 24, Winder-Barrow beat Jackson County 3-2 to complete the two-game Region 8-5A series sweep at the Winder-Barrow High School Baseball Fields.
Jackson County scored two runs in the first inning, but left-handed pitcher Walker Watwood regained his composure and did not allow a run for the rest of the game.
“I have a lot of guys I really love that are going to pitch for us, but there's not a guy that I would rather have up there than him right now,” WBHS Head Coach Brian Smith said. “He's just got this fight and desire.”
Watwood pitched seven innings, allowing two runs on five hits with five strikeouts, earning the win. He has pitched 40 innings, allowing only three runs, 53 strikeouts and a .525 ERA this season.
“There's just no change in our want to and our desire to just play well, so our guys are very tough right now,” Smith said. “Walker is a perfect leader, an example of that.”
Will Waits hit a solo home run to right field to make it 2-1in the second inning, then Brett Bennett drove in two runs in the third inning to take the lead for the rest of the game.
“Yeah, the defense was good. We left some guys on base,” Smith said. “I wish we could punch a few more runs across, but overall, I couldn't be more proud of this group.”
The Bulldoggs played a cleaner game defensively, only having two errors. In the last two games, they had a combined seven errors.
“Our guys are going to look at it, really doesn't matter who the opponent is,” Smith said. “It's about we're kind of playing to compete against ourselves, to put our best game out there.”
Alcovy (1-17, 0-6) heads to Winder-Barrow (11-5, 5-3) on March 26 for the first game of its two-game Region 8-5A series. The Bulldoggs hope to continue to add to their five-game win streak.
