And, with one fell swoop, the Carrier Mills High School baseball team took a solid hold on the Greater Egyptian Conference baseball lead.

Allen Jackson’s Wildcats - forced to host co-conference leader Gallatin County in a twin bill Monday - took both ends of the double-dip, winning the opener 14-4 in six innings before posting a 5-2 victory in the nightcap at Mike Lawrence Field.

The victory all but ensures a tie for the league title for the Wildcats (14-4, 10-2 in the GEC), while Gallatin dipped to 18-7, 9-4 in the GEC.

First Game
Carrier Mills 14, Gallatin County 4
(6 innings)

Dillan Harrison made one early mistake - a first-pitch, leadoff home run to Brody Lowery - but his teammates bounced right back with six runs in the bottom of the first.

Ryan Nichols immediately tied the game with an RBI single, plating Ryan Kirkland, and Tyler Johnson smacked a two-run single before capping things with RBI from Luke Morgan (single) and Jalen Stewart (ground-out).

Dave Cruson’s Hawks cut the deficit to 6-4 in the top of the fifth on Jared Hunt’s run-scoring single, but the Wildcats blew the game open with four-run rallies in the fifth and sixth, ending the contest via the 10-run slaughter rule.

Harrison and Nichols both slammed two-run homers in the fifth.  Two wild pitches and RBI singles from Mason Mitchell and Morgan ended the game in the sixth.

Harrison (4-1) struck out four and allowed but five hits, and Morgan was 3 for 4 in the opener, en route to a five-hit afternoon.

“Dillan made a bad pitch to start the game,” Jackson said, “but he kept his composure and really threw the ball well.

“We had good at-bats, up and down the lineup - especially Dillan’s home run, which came with two strikes - and Luke Morgan was a tough out all day.”

Nichols had two hits and scored three runs, as did Wyatt Kirkland.

Second Game
Carrier Mills 5, Gallatin County 2
The Hawks were the home team in the second contest, but it was Carrier Mills doing early damage, reaching Hunt for all its runs in the first three innings.

Jordan Jackson’s groundout scored Kirkland  in the first, Stewart singled in Luke Morgan in the second, and a Nichols RBI single and a two-run throwing error accounted for a three-run third.

Quinton Drone homered off Kirkland (4-1) in the second and Hunt singled home Alex Casteel in the sixth to account for the Hawks’ scoring.

Kirkland outdueled Hunt in a well-pitched game, striking out eight, walking one and allowing six hits and one earned run.

“We were able to make the best of our opportunities,” A. Jackson said. “We were able to take advantage of our speed in the third and give Us some breathing room.

“Wyatt - like Dillan - was steady the whole game; Hunt was tough too but We were able to scratch out a win.”

CMHS can wrap up the league title with a home win today against Pope County, which is also in the GEC hunt.

First Game
Carrier Mills 14, Gallatin County 4
(6 innings)
GallatinCo        102    010-4
CarrierMills      600    044-14
Carrier Mills (ab r h bi): Kirkland 1 3 1 0, Harrison 3 2 1 2, Jackson 2 3 1 0, Nichols 3 3 2 3. Johnson 3 1 1 2, Mitchell 3 0 1 0, LMorgan 4 1 3 2, Stewart 3 0 0 0, Brown 2 1 0 0. Totals 24 14 10 9
CarrierMills        ip    h     r    er    so    bb
Harrison W,4-1    6     5    4      3      4     3

Second Game
Carrier Mills 5, Gallatin County 2
CarrierMills     113    000    0-5
GallatinCo       010    001    0-2
Carrier Mills (14-4, 10-2; ab r h bi): Kirkland 4 1 1 0, Harrison 4 0 1 0, Jackson 4 1 2 1, Nichols 3 1 1 1, Johnson 3 1 0 0, Mitchell 3 0 1 0, LMorgan 3 1 2 0, GMorgan 2 0 0 0, Stewart 2 0 1 1. Totals 30 5 8 3
CarrierMills        ip    h     r    er    so    bb
Kirkland W,4-1     7    6    2      1      8      1

-from The Daily Register website.

After losing to Pope County Thursday, the Gallatin County Hawks bounced back with a pair of weekend wins at home, clipping Hardin County 8-1 Friday and then popping Trinity Christian 13-2 Saturday.

Friday’s Game
Gallatin County 8, Hardin County 1
Drake Russell struck out 11 and allowed but five Cougars hits Friday.

Brody Lowery led the Hawks hitting attack with four hits and three runs batted in, including two doubles, while Jared Hunt ripped a pair of triples and turned two unassisted double plays in the field.

Alex Casteel had two hits as did Quinton Drone.

Saturday’s Game
Gallatin County 13, Trinity 2
(6 innings)
Jonathon McGuire pitched a two-hitter - striking out 15 - and Gallatin (16-5, 7-2 in the Greater Egyptian Conference) broke open a close game with a 10-run sixth-inning rally, ending the game via the 10-run slaughter rule.

Hunt’s three-run homer provided the walkoff runs needed to shorten the game. Hunt was 4 for 4 with three runs scored and four runs batted in, and Michael Abell had three runs batted in.

Gallatin travels to Hardin County Tuesday, weather permitting.

Friday’s Game
Gallatin County 8, Hardin County 1
Hardin      100    000    0-1
Gallatin    120    311    x-8
Gallatin (AB R H BI): Lowery c 4 2 4 3, Grisham pr 0 1 0 0, Abell 1b 3 0 0 0, Hunt ss 4 0 2 2, Smith pr 0 0 0 0, Drone lf 4 0 2 0, Buckman pr 0 0 0 0, Johnson cf 3 0 0 0, Patton 3b 2 1 1 1, Steele pr 0 0 0 0, Russell p 2 0 0 0, Jones ph 1 0 1 0, McGuire dh 2 2 1 0, Fromm 2b 0 0 0 0, Casteel rf 3 1 2 1. Totals 28 8 13 7
Gallatin       ip    h    r    er    so    bb
Russell W    7    5    1    1      11    3

Saturday’s Game
Gallatin County 13, Trinity 2
(6 innings)
Trinity       000    110-2
Gallatin    201    00(10)-13
Gallatin (16-5, 7-2; AB R H BI): Lowery 3b 3 2 1 1, Abell rf 3 1 1 3, Hunt ss 4 3 4 3, Drone lf 0 1 0 0, Johnson 2 1 0 0, Patton 1b 3 0 1 1, Koester pr 0 1 0 0, McGuire p 3 0 1 1, Grisham pr 0 1 0 0, Whipple dh 2 0 0 0, Aud ph 0 1 0 0, Fromm 2b 0 0 0 0, Casteel cf 2 2 1 1. Totals 22 13 9 12
Gallatin         ip    h    r    er    so    bb
McGuire W    6    2    2    1      15    3

Drake Patton tossed a three-hit shutout Tuesday as the Gallatin County Hawks blanked Galatia 4-0 in Greater Egyptian Conference play.

Drake struck out nine, walked three and even helped himself out with a two-run single in the fifth inning. Dave Cruson’s Hawks (14-4, 6-1) stayed in a tie atop the GEC standings with Carrier Mills, which also won Tuesday.

Gallatin also got a run-scoring hit from Ryne Johnson and a solo home run from Brody Lowery.

Michael Abell was 4 for 4, while Lowery, Johnson and Patton each had two hits.

The Hawks travel to Pope County Thursday.  

Gallatin County 4  Galatia 0
Galatia       000    000    0-0
Gallatin      001    030    x-4
Gallatin (14-4, 6-1; AB R H BI): Lowery c 4 2 2 1, Abell 1b 4 1 4 0, Drone 3b 4 0 1 0, Johnson cf 3 1 2 1, Hunt ss 2 0 0 0, Casteel rf 2 0 0 0, Patton p 3 0 2 2, Fromm 2b 2 0 0 0, Russell lf 2 0 0 0. Totals 26 4 11 4
Gallatin      ip     h    r    er    so    bb
Patton W      7    3    0    0       9      3

-from The Daily Register website.

Brandon Fromm threw four innings Monday, helping the Gallatin County Hawks to a 16-1 victory against visiting Elverado in four and a half innings.

On a day when all other area sports events were called off, the Hawks (13-4) played through wind and rain.

Jared Hunt hit two home runs and drove in five runs, while Quinton Drone was 3 for 3 with four RBI and four runs scored.

Hunt smacked a two-run homer in a five-run Gallatin first, and Brody Lowery also connected in the second inning, as the Hawks extended their lead to 9-1.

Michael Abell, Hunt and Drone all had three hits, Drake Patton owning two.

Fromm struck out four and allowed one run in his first start of the spring, with Drake Russell finishing up.

Gallatin hosts Galatia today.

Gallatin County 16, Elverado 1
Elverado      010    00-1
Gallatin        544    3x-16
Gallatin County (13-4; AB R H BI): Lowery 3 1 1 1. Abell 4 3 3 0, Drone 3 4 3 4, Johnson 3 2 1 1, Whipple 1 0 0 0, Hunt 3 2 3 5, Casteel 2 2 1 1, Patton 3 2 0 1, Hall 2 0 0 1, Fromm 2 2 1 0. Totals 27 15 15  14
Galaltin              ip    h    r    er    so    bb
Fromm W,1-0    4    3    1     1      4      5
Russell               1    2    0     0      3      1

-from The Daily Register website.

I have no good excuse for not writing here lately. The reality of the busyness of life is the only thing that has kept me from here. But the Hawks haven’t quit playing just because I have quit posting. They have had some good play lately. And my Brandon made his return to the pitcher’s mound today against Elverado. He pitched four solid innings, only allowing one run. He was tired tonight, but not sore. I’m still not convinced his arm is completely healed, but as long as he doesn’t complain with pain I guess I have no choice but to sit back and watch him play. Of course I wasn’t there to see him play today, Lucas had physical therapy this afternoon and I honestly thought the Hawks would get rained out. Tomorrow the Hawks face Galatia at home. I’ll be there.

Keeping pace with first-place Carrier Mills, the Gallatin County High School baseball team sent visiting Pope County to third place in the Greater Egyptian Conference race with a 5-3 victory.

Freshman pitcher Drake Patton went 5 1-3 innings to pick up the victory for the Hawks (12-4, 5-1) striking out six and walking four. He scattered five hits before Jared Hunt finished up.

Gallatin broke through in the third inning, when Patton singled in Hunt. GC made it 5-0 in the fifth on run-scoring hits from Ryne Johnson and Alex Casteel before Hunt planted a two-run homer. Hunt was 3 for 3 with two runs scored and the two RBI. Johnson and Quinton Drone both had a pair of hits.

Gallatin will host Eldorado, which stayed winless with a 19-1 loss to Mount Vernon Friday, today, weather permitting.

Gallatin County 5, Pope County 3
Pope        000    001    2-3
Gallatin    001    040    x-5

Gallatin (12-4, 5-1; AB R H BI): Lowery c 3 0 0 0, Drone 3b 3 0 2 0, Johnson cf 3 1 2 1, Casteel dh 3 1 1 1, Fromm 2b 0 0 0 0, Hunt ss 3 2 3 2, Abell 1b 3 0 1 0, Patton p 3 0 1 1, Burklow pr 0 0 0 0, McGuire lf 3 0 0 0, Russell rf 3 1 1 0. Totals 27 5 11 5
Gallatin       ip      h    r    er    so    bb
Patton W    5.1    5    1    1       6      4
Hunt           1.2     1    2    0       0      0

-from The Daily Register website.

Ryne Johnson drove in three runs and scored twice Thursday as the Gallatin County Hawks remained in a tie atop the Greater Egyptian Conference standings with a 9-2 win at Norris City-Omaha-Enfield.

Drake Russell picked up the win on the mound, striking out 13 and scattering six hits.

Gallatin (11-4, 4-1) was locked in a 1-1 tie after two innings, but the Hawks took the lead for good with a three-run third, two of those runs coming on Johnson’s two-out, two-run single.

Dave Cruson’s team put the issue away with three runs in the fourth and two more in the fifth.

Johnson had three hits, with Brody Lowery, Quinton Drone and Jared Hunt all having two.

GC stayed in a three-way, first-place tie with Pope County and Carrier Mills. Gallatin hosts Pope Friday, with the winner staying in first place.

 
Gallatin County 9, NCOE 2
GCounty    103    320    0-9
NCOE         100    010    0-2
Gallatin County (11-4, 4-1; AB R H BI): Lowery 3 4 2 1, Drone 5 0 2 1, Johnson 4 2 3 3, Casteel 3 0 1 1, Hunt 3 0 2 2, MAbell 4 0 1 1, Patton 3 0 0 0, Whipple 0 1 0 0, Russell p 2 2 1 0. Totals 29 9 12 9

Gallatin        ip    h     r    er    so    bb
Russell W    7      6    2    2     13     5

-from The Daily Register website.

Brody Lowery slammed a home run and drove in two runs, and winning pitcher Jared Hunt was 4 for 4 Wednesday, leading the Gallatin County Hawks to a 7-4 win at Hamilton County.

Hunt allowed just three earned runs, and was staked for a 4-0 lead in the second inning. Jon McGuire singled in two runs, after Mike Abell (hit) and Drake Patton (bases-loaded walk) had driven in runs.

Drake Russell’s running catch in left field, with the bases loaded and two out, prevented the host Foxes from a potential big inning.

GC, its lead trimmed to 4-3 in the fourth, added two runs in the fifth. Alex Casteel had an RBI triple and he trotted home on Hunt’s single.

Lowery added an insurance run in the seventh with a solo home run. Hunt then finished up, striking out six and scattering six hits.

The Hawks play today at NCOE, then host Pope County Friday.

Gallatin County 7, HamCo 4
GallatinCo     040    020    1-7
HamCo          000    300    1-4
Gallatin (10-4, 3-1; AB R H BI): Fromm ss 3 0 0 0, Lowery 3b 4 2 2 1, Drone 3b 4 0 1 0, Johnson cf 4 1 1 0, Casteel rf 3 2 1 1, MAbell 1b 4 1 1 1, Patton dh 2 0 0 1, Russell lf 0 0 0 0, McGuire 2b 3 0 1 2. Totals 31 7 11 6
GallatinCo         ip    h    r     er    so    bb
Hunt W                7    6    4     3        6      3

-from The Daily Register website.