Hawks have heart — South Walton fights to overcome Bulldogs (PHOTOS)

SANTA ROSA BEACH — It wasn’t their best, but it was good enough.

After trailing for five innings, the South Walton Seahawks rallied the bats in the bottom of the sixth to pull off a 7-3 victory over the visiting Freeport Bulldogs in high school baseball action Thursday night.

“We didn’t bring our ‘A’ game tonight, we just battled,” said South Walton Coach Kevin Cipriani.

“They never give up. This is a team that keeps fighting,” Cipriani added.

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Freeport came out swinging in the top of the first scoring one run on one hit. Michael Graziani was hit by a pitch, then Wesley Schofield ripped one down the third baseline. Cole Weeks took one deep to center field to sacrifice in Graziani. Schofield was pegged at second for the second out and centerfielder Justin Moore made his second catch on a shot by Justin Farmer for the third out. Moore, of Destin, had six catches in center for the evening.

The Bulldogs picked up another run in the second on a double by Drew Porter.

The Seahawks struggled at the plate the first two innings, not even getting a runner on base.

In the top of the third, South Walton pitcher Jonathan Duncan struck out the first batter, then Dylan Smith fielded a grounder for a putout at first. Duncan, of Destin, struck out the next to sit the Bulldogs down.

South Walton finally broke on to the scoreboard in the bottom of the third. Rex Rutledge led off with a single to left center. Mitch Peterson put down a sacrifice bunt to move Rutledge around. The next Hawk popped up to third and Tyler Townson reached on an error with Rutledge slipping in home for a 2-1 game.

Freeport didn’t waste any time getting the run back. In the top of the fourth, Farmer walked, stole second and moved around to third on a shot by Dusty Gess. Duncan struck out the next batter, then Tanner DeGafferelly took one deep to centerfielder Moore for an out, and Farmer scored.

South Walton failed to answer in the bottom of the fourth, but they did in the fifth. After a pop up for an out, Peterson singled up the middle and stole second. He later scored on a passed ball for a 3-2 game.

The difference in the game came in the sixth inning.

After holding the Bulldogs in check in the top half, the Hawks went to work in the bottom. Jansen Infinger reached on an error and stole second. Moore took one deep to centerfield for an out. Duncan followed with a long shot to center that was bobbled. Infinger took off for home with Duncan hot on his heels for the score. Chaz Johnisee singled up the middle and stole second. Weeks struck out the next batter, and Peterson followed with a single up the middle to score Johnisee. Smith singled to left stole around to third and scored on a single by Townson to put the Hawks on top 7-3.

In the top of the seventh, Freeport connected for one hit before the Seahawks sat them down with two catches in the field and a strikeout.

“This team just has a lot of heart and they play well together,” Cipriani said walking off the field. “They just have the will to survive.”

This was the Seahawks, now 5-2, third comeback victory.

For the game, Duncan struck out six, walked three, hit one batter and gave up three hits. Smith stepped on the mound in the sixth for the Hawks, giving up one hit and striking out one.

Weeks struck out seven, gave up five hits and no walks.

Up next for the Seahawks is a 4 p.m. game Monday at home against Cottondale.