The Newton County baseball team picked up two big wins this week as they swept two games from Richland.
The Cougars had to score three runs in the bottom of the seventh to win 3-2 on Thursday night in walk-off fashion and then took an 8-6 win on Friday.
Newton County, now 9-6 on the season, will return to action on Tuesday as they host Quitman. County will travel to Quitman on Friday and then host rival West Lauderdale on Saturday in a 1 p.m. contest.
County 3, Richland 2
The Cougars scored three runs in the bottom of the seventh to take a walk-off win over the Rangers on Thursday.
Richland scored single runs in the third and seventh innings and led 2-0 going to the bottom of the seventh.
County opened the inning as Gage Hollingsworth singled to open the inning and Tyler Cavenaugh singled to put runners at first and second. Hollingsworth was caught stealing for the first out before Hayze West singled to score Cavenaugh. After a strikeout for the second out, West scored on a wild pitch and David Burton reached on a dropped third strike. After Braxton May walked, Marcus Mowdy reached on a ground ball error to shortstop and courtesy runner Jesse Phillips scored for the game winner.
County had five hits on the night as Cavenaugh singled and scored while West singled, scored and had an RBI. Burton, Mowdy and Riley Cain each singled.
Burton pitched all seven innings for the Cougars to pick up the win. Burton scattered seven hits and struck out 10 to pick up the win.
County 8, Richland 6
The Cougars built an early lead and held on to take a two-run win over the Rangers on Friday to sweep the series.
Richland led 2-1 after the first inning before County scored two in the second and third and one in the fourth to lead 6-2. But Richland scored three in the fourth to cut the lead to 6-5. County added single runs in the sixth and seventh while Richland scored one in the seventh.
County outhit Richland 9-8 in the contest. Hayze West was 2-for-3 while Braxton Thoms was 2-for-2 with two walks and two runs scored. Riley Can also had a double while Gage Hollinsworth walked twice, singled and scored. Tyson Wood had two RBIs while Braxton May walked twice and Griffin Bailey scored two runs. Bailey and May each had two stolen bases.
Gatlin Huber started on the mound and pitched two innings, giving up two runs on two hits and three walks. Hayze West pitched the next three innings, going up three runs on four hits while striking out four to get the win. Marcus Mowdy pitched the last two innings and gave up just one run on two hits to get the save.
