TOCCOA FALLS, Ga.— In game one of the Toccoa Falls series (5-7), the Bethel Pilots (4-4) allowed two innings with three runs allowed in the bottom of the second and fourth innings and dropped the series opener 8-4.
The Screaming Eagles struck first in the bottom of the first inning with the lead-off batter hit by a pitch, and Charlie Compton singled to put runners on first and third. After back-to-back strikeouts and Compton stealing second, Colton Moak drove a two-RBI double to get on the board first 2-0.
Jordan Landkrohn plated Andrew Dillon and Seth Ambrose after reaching second from an error by the center fielder in the top of the second; then Cooper Tolson scored to bring the Pilots up 3-2. In the bottom of the second, the Screaming Eagles bounced back with three runs of their own with an RBI ground out to the shortstop and a two-run home run and took back the lead 5-3.
Dominic Deisler slapped a solo home run in the top of the third to lead off the inning and chipped the Pilot deficit to one run.
Toccoa Falls struck one last time in the bottom of the fourth with a two-run single and a bases-loaded hit by a pitch to secure the Screaming Eagle victory 8-4.
Landkrohn had a good day at the plate with two hits and one RBI, and Deisler had two hits, including the solo home run, and scored once.
Frank Plesac (1-2) took the hill for 3.2 innings, allowed eight runs on eight hits, walked two, and struck out six, but only allowed one double and a home run. Payton Ring came in for 2.1 innings of relief and struck out three, one looking, allowed one hit, and allowed no runs.
THE SERIES CONTINUES
The Pilots are slated for a doubleheader at 11 a.m. to complete the three-game series with Toccoa Falls (Ga.) before starting the Crossroads League campaign against Mount Vernon Nazarene (Ohio) from March 1-2 in Davenport, Fla. on March 1 and Auburndale, Fla. on March 2.