RINGGOLD, Ga. — The Heritage Generals are like that stray dog that just won’t go away. Tuesday, in mutt-like fashion, the second-year baseball program came off the deck twice to earn an eight-inning 6-5 Region 6-AAA win over Ridgeland.
Jake Sampson’s bases-loaded single secured the win that raised Heritage, which won four games in its inaugural season, to 11-5 overall and 4-2 in the tight region standings.
“At this point, every one of these region games is precious, and it’s crucial to get a win,” Heritage coach Eric Beagles said when asked about his team’s penchant for rallies. “That’s what you have to do. It’s like I told the guys, none of it is ever going to be easy. That’s a tribute to the way they play the game.”
Ridgeland (8-8, 1-5) led 4-1 after three innings, thanks to an RBI single from Daniel Johnson in the second and run-scoring hits by Chase Stoker, Andrew Gaddis and Ryan McCormack in the third against Heritage freshman starter Austin Morris. The Generals quickly tied the game with a three-spot in the fourth, the key hit a two-run double by Jacob Carter.
The Panthers appeared to apply a knockout blow in the seventh with an unearned run. With pitching ace Alex Ridge on the mound after coming on in relief and striking out the side in the sixth, the Generals’ chances appeared slim. However, Sampson had the first of his two big late hits to start the seventh. Following a sacrifice, Brad McDonald plated the tying run with a single up the middle.