Logan Baldwin, Ringgold Tigers shut down Gordon Lee in baseball game

Wednesday, March 5, 2014

photo Ringgold second baseman Garrett Peeples (25) scores against Gordon Lee baseball Tuesday at Ringgold High School.

RINGGOLD, Ga. - Brent Tucker admits this prep baseball season has a different feel to it for his usually pitching-rich Ringgold Tigers, but though there may be some questions to be answered on the mound, finding an ace isn't one of them.

Senior left-hander Logan Baldwin battled through some wildness on a chilly night in Ringgold to further establish himself at the top of the Tigers' rotation Tuesday, tossing a one-hitter over six innings in a 6-0 win over Gordon Lee.

"That's Logan's third start and he's thrown the ball well in each one against some very good teams," Tucker said. "He's ready to assume that ace role. I told him before the season started that he's going to get all the tough games, and he's ready for it. He's got the maturity and composure to thrive in the role."

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Baldwin battled through seven walks to even his record at 1-1. He and Gordon Lee starter Jake Rogers were locked in a scoreless game when the defensive wheels fell off for the Trojans (3-1).

Slade Dale, Zach Morris and Derek Peeples had consecutive singles to lead off the fourth inning and a 1-0 lead. Jordan Ransom followed with an RBI single, with another run scoring on the first of four Trojans errors in the inning. Ringgold scored five in the inning and sent 10 batters to the plate, though Rogers deserved a better fate.

"I thought Jake was doing a good job, and when the mistakes started to happen he wanted to do it by himself," Gordon Lee coach Mike Dunfee said. "We didn't handle adversity very well tonight, and the thing I'm very disappointed in was our defense. In addition to the errors there were several other plays we could have made and didn't."

Ringgold (3-3) added another run in the fifth on Ransom's double and a single from Dycus, giving Baldwin and Zach Morris, who pitched the seventh, more than enough insurance.

"Beside one inning it was a great pitchers duel," Tucker said. "Logan fought around some walks, but he battled and got through it. The inning we did have we created some mistakes and put the ball in play with some big hits."

Contact Lindsey Young at lyoung@timesfreepress.com or at 423-757-6296.