Darton’s game with ABAC suspended

ALBANY — It was a pitcher’s duel through five innings with the score tied at 2.

But ABAC scored three runs in the sixth, two in the seventh and two in the eighth to take control and leads Darton 9-3 in a suspended game Tuesday night at Darton State College.

It’s the first game of an important series between the top two teams in the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Conference (GCAA). The game was suspended in the top of the eighth inning due to heavy rain and lightning and will resume on Thursday at a time to be determined.

“I think ABAC came out with a little more energy than we did,” Darton head coach Scot Hemmings said. “I felt like for the first few innings, we were feeling our way through the game and we had a few scoring opportunities. We lead the game off with a single and can’t get a bunt down.

“Next inning, we have runners at second and third and roll over a ball to third base, so we missed a lot of scoring opportunities early just from having undisciplined at-bats. They [ABAC] got some confidence. The bats got hot and they did a wonderful job. I thought they were playing much better than we were.”

The Cavaliers (32-13, 19-5) maintained a small lead over the second-place Stallions (22-20, 15-5). ABAC began to take control of the game in the sixth inning as they scored three runs on three hits and two Darton errors. Ryan Lawless and Will Owens each doubled in that inning to lead the attack.

While Darton scored a run in the bottom half of the sixth on an RBI single by Mike Huggins, the Stallions picked up where they left off in the seventh, scoring two more runs on five hits. ABAC padded its lead in the top of the eighth inning when Lawless belted a two-run homer over the left field wall before the rain came. Lawless went 3 for 5 and drove in three RBIs.

The game began promising for the Cavaliers as they took the lead in the bottom of the first on an RBI single by Cody Ilgenfritz. ABAC responded by tying the game at a run apiece in the top of the third when Lawless hit into a fielder’s choice, scoring Nick Higgenbothom.

Darton starting pitcher Rabon Martin pitched well through five innings of work, striking out one, walking one and only giving up four hits until he was roughed up in the sixth inning.

“Honestly, I don’t know what happened,” Martin said. “I’ll try not to let it happen again.”

ABAC starter Damion Fondren went the distance for the Stallions, giving up three runs on seven hits. Offensively for Darton, John Cable 2 for 3 with a single, a double and a fielder’s choice. Huggins and Ilgenfritz each drove in a run for the Cavaliers.

“The bottom line is there’s a lot riding on this series, and it will depend on what team decides to show up,” Hemmings said. “Is the timid Darton College going to show up, or is the team that is 19-5 and in first-place going to show up?”