Dophie Thomas hits game-winner for Jones County
GRAY -- Dophie Thomas hit a run-scoring single in the bottom of the seventh inning to lead Jones County to a come-from-behind 7-6 win Friday night over Houston County.
Senior Chandler Ramage pitched four innings of one-run relief to get the win for the Greyhounds (17-2, 6-2 in GHSA Region 2-AAAAA) while Houston County (15-6, 8-1) dropped its first region game of the year.
Houston County jumped out to a 5-3 lead after two innings with the key blow being a bases-loaded single off the right-field fence that drove in three runs. But Jones County took the lead in the fourth, scoring three times on three hits and an error.
Houston County tied the game in the seventh on a Tanner Hall single that scored DL Hall. The Greyhounds ended the game in their half of the inning with a Teldrick Ross double and then Thomas' hit the game-winner.
THREE WHO MATTERED
Thomas: The senior cleanup hitter was in the middle of most of the Greyhounds' scoring. He ripped a single in the first inning past the shortstop that ended up going through the left fielder's legs for two runs. He knocked in another run in the fourth inning and then delivered the game-winner.
Ramage: The senior had two hits and a walk at the plate and drove in a run. He came on in relief in the fourth inning and gave up only four hits and one run to get the win.
Jake Fromm: The Houston County third baseman had two hits and knocked in three runs.
OBSERVATION
New season: Houston County had already defeated Jones County twice this season and has already clinched the top seed in the sub-region tournament that begins Thursday, with the Bears facing Lakeside. Jones County plays Grovetown on the same day.
THEY SAID IT
Jones County head coach Jason Page on the importance of beating Houston County, despite not being able to move up in the region standings: "Houston County has a great baseball team and anytime you can beat a quality opponent is a confidence builder. Our playoff season starts next week already and being able to come back late and having some guys come up with big hits late in a game is definitely a momentum-builder for our team."
Page on Ramage: "We feel good about all four of our pitchers and tried to get all of them innings this week, and all of them threw well this week. Ramage is a senior, and we depend on him to come in and do what he did (Friday)."
Thomas on his game-winner: "I knew when they scored that I would be coming up in the seventh and I was ready for it. When Teldrick led off with a double, I was looking for something to hit early in the count and I got a fastball I could drive. We know right now it is all about getting ready for the playoffs next week."
Thomas on whether he thought that he might be asked to move Ross to third with a bunt in the final inning: "The thought entered my mind that I might get the bunt signal, but I was really hoping Page) would let me hit."