No. 1 Valwood takes down No. 2 Deerfield-Windsor in Valdosta

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

VALDOSTA — The showdown between the top two teams in GIAA Class AAA never quite turned into the heavyweight fight many expected.

Instead, top-ranked Valwood controlled the tempo from the start and methodically pulled away for an 8-2 win over No. 2 Deerfield-Windsor on Tuesday.

Valwood (20-2) chipped away at the Knights inning by inning, scoring early and adding on just enough to keep Deerfield-Windsor from ever finding its footing.

The Valiants took a 1-0 lead in the first on a wild pitch, then stretched the advantage in the third when Dwyan Powell delivered a run-scoring double and another run crossed on a groundout to make it 3-0.

That steady pressure was more than enough for Valwood ace Asher Wells.

Wells dominated on the mound, holding Deerfield-Windsor to just one hit over six shutout innings while striking out nine. The Knights showed patience at the plate — drawing six walks — but couldn’t string together the timely hits needed to break through.

Deerfield-Windsor (14-4) didn’t get on the board until late and finished with just two hits in the game. David Hutchins accounted for both runs, driving in a pair from the middle of the lineup, while Hutchins and West Rushton recorded the Knights’ only hits.

Gage Tomlinson took the loss for Deerfield-Windsor, allowing five runs — three earned — over four innings.

Valwood’s offense, meanwhile, capitalized on its chances and applied constant pressure on the basepaths. The Valiants collected multiple hits from Powell and Maddox Colie and swiped five bases to keep the Knights’ defense on edge throughout the night.

Colson Smith added two RBIs from the lower part of the lineup as Valwood gradually extended its lead.

Despite the loss, Deerfield-Windsor will have a quick opportunity to respond — and perhaps even the series — when the two teams meet again for a doubleheader Friday in Albany.

First pitch is set for 4 p.m. in what now shapes up as a pivotal late-season showdown between the No. 1- and No. 2-ranked teams in Class AAA.