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Effingham County Baseball Falls to Greenbrier, 9-1
Rebels Drop to 0-2 in Subregion, Putting Repeat Championship Hopes in Danger
Effingham County baseball
Effingham County pitcher Ayden Smith follows through on a pitch as Greenbrier’s Devon McLoughlin squares to bunt during Wednesday’s Region 1-5A North subregion game in Springfield. Roeser struck out nine and allowed two runs in 4 1/3 innings, but the Rebels fell 9-1. (Mark Lastinger / Effingham Herald)

SPRINGFIELD, Ga. – Greenbrier tested the mettle of Effingham County’s baseball players Wednesday after the Rebels suffered a discouraging loss in Game 1 of the three-game series.

But ECHS didn’t respond well during a 9-1 setback that put its aspirations for a second straight subregion championship in peril just two games into the league schedule.

“In sports, sometimes you get punched in the mouth and it’s all about how you get back up,” said Rebels assistant coach Robbie Ergle, who was in charge. “So far, we haven’t decided we want to get back up.”

Head coach Eric McCombie wasn’t in the dugout Wednesday. He accompanied his wife, Eden Evans, to the hospital after Evans’ blood pressure spiked, Ergle said.

Evans and McCombie welcomed a baby girl on March 3.

McCombie’s blood pressure might have been at a high point Tuesday night when he saw his team relinquish a five-run lead and give up nine runs in the sixth inning before falling to the Wolfpack 15-5.

It was a night to forget. Rebels pitchers walked 10 and hit three batters. In the field, ECHS committed five errors.

Effingham County baseball
Rebels baserunner Hunter Tuten races back to first base after a Greenbrier pickoff attempt during Wednesday’s Region 1-5A North subregion game in Springfield. (Mark Lastinger / Effingham Herald)

Defensive miscues prove costly

Wednesday’s game followed a similar storyline. Two errors led to seven unearned runs. Greenbrier (9-4, 2-0 Region 1-5A North subregion) capitalized on an outfield throw to the wrong base to score its first run.

The Wolfpack salted the game away with a seven-run sixth inning, turning a 2-0 lead into a 9-0 advantage. Two bunt singles helped ignite the big inning.

The Rebels (10-5, 0-2 Region 1-5A North subregion) produced their only run in the bottom of the sixth when Kyle Thomas singled and scored on Kaleb Pendley’s double.

baseball
Rebels third baseman Nick King makes a play to end the first inning, helping limit damage after early errors gave Greenbrier a quick lead in the Region 1-5A North subregion game. (Mark Lastinger / Effingham Herald)

Pitching effort overshadowed

ECHS starting pitcher Ayden Roeser, who didn’t surrender a hit until the fourth inning, deserved a better fate. The senior struck out nine in 4 1/3 innings and allowed two runs, one earned.

Greenbrier’s Rylen Farlow was a little better, striking out 11, walking none and scattering five hits while giving up one run in six innings.

A year ago, the Rebels swept the subregion-opening series against Greenbrier. The Wolfpack regrouped and advanced to the region championship game but again stumbled against ECHS, 3-0.

With the tables turned in the first two games, the Rebels will try to avoid a three-game sweep Friday when the teams complete the series at Greenbrier.

“This isn’t a talent issue. This is a mental focus issue,” Ergle said. “We have to do some soul-searching. All teams go through this. It’s how you respond. Our season’s not over by any means.”