Coach Brian McCorkle’s Bainbridge High School Bearcats defeated the Albany High School Indians 17-1 Friday in Albany to improve their Region 1-AAAA record to 7-2 and put them in a three-way tie for second place with the Cairo High School Syrupmakers and the Crisp County High School Cougars.

Leading 7-1 after three innings, the Bearcats scored 10 in the top of the fourth to put the game away.

The Bearcats’ decisive 10-run fourth inning rally against the Indians included RBI triples by Tyler Storey and Keith Lyle, and RBI singles by Anderson Bailey, Dustin Strickland, Will Kelley and Caleb Boutwell.  Four more runs in the inning were the result of errors.

Winning pitcher Cayden McQuaig allowed just two hits while walking one and striking out six in four innings. The Indians one run was unearned.

The Thomas County Central High School Yellow Jackets are leading the Region with an 8-1 mark. They Bearcats host the Syrupmakers today and the Cook County High School Hornets in Region 1-AAAA games today and Friday at 6 p.m. at the Bearcat Diamond.

The Bearcats shutout the Americus-Sumter County High School Panthers 10-0 in six innings last Friday at the BHS fields.

Bearcats lefthander Stanton Long struck out 11 of the first 13 batters. Jacob Hicks singled to left center to open the top of the sixth and cut off Long’s no-hit streak.

The Bearcats scored two runs in the bottom of the first inning on a two-run single by center fielder Tyler Storey. Third baseman Will Kelley doubled in two more runs in the bottom of the second to increase their advantage to 4-0.

The Bearcats increased their advantage to 6-0 when they tallied for two in the bottom of the third. Left fielder Anderson Bailey singled to center on a 3-2 pitch to open the rally. Centerfielder Tyler Storey walked on four pitches moving Bailey up to second. A pitch hit shortstop Keith Lyle, loading the bases. Right fielder Hayden Godwin was then hit by a pitch forcing home Bailey with the Bearcats fifth run.

Stanton Long then helped his own cause with a two run single to increase the Bearcats lead to 6-0.

The Bearcats added their seventh and eighth runs in the bottom of the fourth. Third baseman Will Kelley opened the inning with a double and tagged up and moved to third on a fly out to deep left on center by first baseman Ty Varnum. Bailey then tripled to right driving in Kelley with the seventh run. Lyle singled up the middle to drive in Bailey with the eighth run.

The Bearcats scored their final two runs in the bottom of the sixth. Cayden McQuaig walked on a 3-2 pitch to open the inning. He moved up to second on a single to right by Caleb Boutwell moved up to third on a fielder choice and came home on a wild pitch.