Pace High School Varsity Baseball Coach Charlie Warner and his boys compete in a very talented, athletic and experienced district however this does not divert Warner and his team from the same aspiration they strive for each and every season. Pace who is often dubbed the favorite team in District 1-6A baseball is often considered a force to be reckoned with at bat, on the mound and in the field.
“We must be at our best in every district game to have a chance to win,” stated Warner. “We have six seniors in our lineup and that gives us a load of experience. We are looking for great performance and leadership from these seniors this year.”
The Patriots have an overall season record of five wins and three loses sporting a 2-0 district action record. “Four of our five wins have come by way of shut outs,” continued Warren.
Losing two games in the Georgia-Florida Challenge in Valdosta, Georgia has given the Patriots a new passion for their game as they returned home to Pace this week with nothing but visions of a championship on their mind and in their swing.
“Our goal like every year is to win a state championship,” Warner shared.
Pace fell to Columbus High School 9-3 and then to Houston County High School 8-7.
Against Columbus High School Colby Sweat went 2 for 3 and Austin Brooks hit 1 for 1 with a double. Pace’s Brant Walker (1-1) was on the mound for the Patriots for four innings pitching.
During the second game of the Challenge, Pace’s Chandler Burgess (0-1) took the mound as Pace fell in a close game 8-7.
Colby Sweat went 1 for 2 from the plate slamming a homerun and 2 RBIs. Jace Baxley was 3 for 4 with 3 RBIs and Matt McGowin was credited with 2 runs, a double and went 2 for 4.
The Milton High School Panthers downed the Crestview Bulldogs with pitcher Ashton Shell setting the stride for his team from the pitching mound. Shell, who pitched five innings, struck out six of the Bulldogs for an 8-0 win.
The Panthers who like Pace are 2-0 in district action have a 5-2 overall record.
Credit is given to the power bats of Brenden Blevins BA .412, Cody Lowe BA .435, and Ashton Shell BA .381 this season.
From the mound of the Black and Gold is Micah McGaha ERA .86 in 16.1 innings pitched. Ashton Shell is 3-0 with ERA 1.95 in 14.1 innings pitched and Chase Shell stacks up 2 saves and is 1-1.
The Jay Royals knocked off Escambia Academy of Canoe, AL 3-2. The Royals lost to Holmes County 6-4.
Holmes County who are the defending district and region champions is in the same district as the Royals. The Royals did have the possibility to push their game against Holmes County into extra innings but fell short. They did leave a little worry for the former championship team to consider as they traveled back home after only winning by 2 runs.
Zach Conley was 1 for 2 with 1 RBI and Dalton Edwards went 2-4 with 1 RBI also went 3.3 innings from the mound in the loss.
Hunter Williams was on the mound during Jay’s win against Escambia Academy as Zach Conley hit 2 for 3 and Taylor Kelley had a double along with going 1 for 4 from the plate.
Pace will host Lincoln at 2:30, Tuesday March 11.
The Panthers will host a visiting team from Mississippi, Tuesday March 11 with game time pending.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Area baseball teams compete