Wicksburg, Slocomb topple No. 1 Athens Bible School

WICKSBURG — Wicksburg and Slocomb gave Class 1A’s top-ranked Athens Bible School a rude welcome to the Wiregrass Wednesday, knocking off the state’s last undefeated team in back-to-back games at the Southeast Alabama Invitational.

Wicksburg spanked last year’s Class 1A state champions 9-0 then Slocomb rallied with six runs in the seventh to overcome the Trojans 8-5.

The two losses left ABS at 11-2. Wicksburg improved to 10-9 and Slocomb, ranked No. 9 in the latest ASWA Class 3A state rankings, moved to 12-6.

The tournament also had two games Wednesday night at Skipperville. Enterprise routed Carroll 13-3 and G.W. Long downed Enterprise 7-3
Play is to continue today at the two sites, weather permitting.

Wicksburg jumped on Athens Bible early and rode the stellar pitching of Chris Barrentine, who fired a two-hit shutout and struck out 11.

Jake Gillilan had three hits to paced the Panther offense, including a double, and he also drove in a run. Taylor Robinson belted a homer and a double and drove in two runs, while Luke Miller had a double and a single and Owen Brown had two singles. Both Miller and Brown drove in a run each.

Will Chumbley and Jordan Pugh had the two Athens Bible hits. Chumbley had a single in the third and Pugh a single in the sixth.

Slocomb followed the Wicksburg rout with a dramatic win over the Trojans.

Athens Bible needed only three outs to preserve a 5-2 lead, but the Red Tops erupted with seven hits to score six runs.

Chad Schmidt singled and Jamey McAllister doubled then Bradley Eldridge reached on an infield single off the third baseman, bringing home Schmidt and making it 5-3.

After a fly out, Cody Fortson walked to load the bases. Will Merritt doubled home two runs and a throwing error to get Fortson at third was wild, allowing Fortson to score and push the Red Tops up 6-5.

Chase Merritt followed with an infield single then Tyler Reeder squeezed home Will Merritt and Zach Justice delivered a RBI single to bring in Chase Merritt for an 8-5 lead.

Reeder, on in relief, shut the door in the bottom of the seventh despite giving up a walk. He struck out two in the inning and earned a save.

Chase Merritt picked up the win, working six innings and striking out eight.

Offensively, Slocomb was led by Jamey McAllister with a triple and a double. Scottie Burdeshaw and Chase Merritt both had two singles with Merritt driving in a run. Clay Holmes added a RBI single.

Conner Brown and Pugh had two singles each for ABS. Brett Westbrook had a RBI double and Jonathan Winland had a single.