Wednesday, April 3

Central Phenix City scores 3 in the 7th to beat Smiths Station 6-5 behind a stellar pitching performance by sophomore Tyler Haines.

           In what can be best described as an intense environment, the Central Phenix City Red Devils got a huge road win over Smith Station in both teams' area opener on Wednesday night. Sophomore Tyler Haines got the start for Central Phenix City and did not disappoint. The Mississippi State commit went 5 2/3 innings striking out 10 and issuing three walks. He allowed 4 hits and 5 runs with only 2 of those runs earned. The young righthander did a nice job of pitching out of jams and was able to mix in a nice breaking ball with a lively fastball.  Senior Peyton Burton, a Columbus State commit pitched the 7th to close it out for the Red Devils. Two walks and a hit by pitch in the bottom of the 7th had the issue in doubt until the final pitch of the night. With the bases loaded and a full count on the batter, Burton got the called strike to end the game.  Smiths Station also got a quality outing from it's starter, senior Clay Weatherly. He went 6 innings allowing 7 hits and 3 earned runs. He struck out 7 and issued 1 walk.  Junior Carson Swilling (Samford commit) pitched the 7th for the Panthers and struck out 2 while giving up 2 hits and allowed 3 unearned runs. 

        Smiths Station led 5-0 after 4 innings. The Panthers got on the board in the bottom of the 1st when leadoff hitter, junior Hunter Donaldson,(South Alabama commit) promptly led off with a home run over the CF fence. Donaldson would later triple down the right field line as well. Smiths Station added 3 runs in the 2nd inning and tacked on a single run in the 4th for what seemed like a comfortable lead. The Red Devils would respond by scoring 3 in the 5th inning, all with 2 outs. Bryce Davis started things off with a double to left field and was driven in on a single by DJ Rias. Senior Mason Davis doubled putting runners at 2B and 3B and senior Brayden Pelkey drove in both with a double cutting the deficit to 5-3. Neither team scored in the 6th setting the stage for the final inning. Phillip Ramsey led off the 7th inning and reached on an error and was followed by Bryce Davis' single to left field. Rias singled to right field and loaded the bases with no outs. Mason Davis then reached on an error scoring 2 runs and tying things up at 5. Rias would later score the deciding run on a wild pitch for a 6-5 lead. 

       Rias, Jay Kehoe and Bryce Davis all had multiple hits for the Red Devils while Mason Davis and Pelkey both had 2 RBI's. Donaldson was the only Smiths Station player with multiple hits in the game and he also collected 2 RBI's. Swilling had 2 RBI's as well for the Panthers.

        The two teams face off again Thursday, April 4 in a doubleheader at Central Phenix City. 

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