PORTLAND The Gallatin High School baseball team produced just two runs in last week’s home-and-home series against district foe Hendersonville.
Since then, the Green Wave bats have come to life, producing double-figures runs in three consecutive games. Gallatin scored a season-high in Monday evening’s 20-4, six-inning victory at Portland.
Gallatin High senior starting pitcher James Rockwell tags out Portland sophomore Logan Wilson during the first inning of Monday evening’s 20-4 win for the Green Wave.
“We’re getting more in a routine of doing the same things, doing the little things every game,” Gallatin junior catcher Bailey Russell said. “We have a better approach coming into the games lately.”
Russell had four of the team’s 18 hits on Monday and drove in eight runs.
“I feel like I’m improving as the season goes,” Russell said. “I’m getting more comfortable at the plate.”
Russell had a two-run single in the first inning, but Panther freshman Brandon Tucker also had a two-run single in the bottom of the frame, after senior Nick Lingo doubled in a run.
Portland High senior Nick Lingo rounds first base during the first inning. Lingo doubled in a run in the frame.
However, it was all Gallatin from there as senior James Rockwell placed his squad in front to stay with a two-run double in the second inning, after classmate Billy Campbell singled in a run.
Gallatin High senior Billy Campbell lays down a first-inning bunt. Campbell singled three times, scored three runs, stole two bases and drove in a run in Monday evening’s victory.
Russell and classmate Austin McWhirter singled in runs in the four-run fourth inning, and Russell’s first home run of the season was a grand slam in the fifth.
Russell doubled in another run in the seven-run sixth, and senior teammate Carlos Hernandez followed with a run-scoring triple. Juniors Matthew Jackson and Jordan Mason also had run-scoring hits in the sixth.
Campbell, Hernandez and Jackson all had three hits.
Rockwell went the distance on the mound.
“They have confidence in themselves,” Green Wave head coach Mark Wilson said. “When you play in our district, it’s easy not to have confidence, because you are playing giant after giant. Our guys have played decent defense and have gotten solid pitching (lately). When that happens, you swing the bats better.”
Portland High senior starting pitcher Austin Graves throws to first base for a first-inning putout.
Reach Craig Harris at charris@mtcngroup.com or at 615-575-7138. Follow him on Twitter @HarrisGNESports.
Gallatin 230 447 – 20 18 2
Portland 300 100 – 4 5 2
James Rockwell and Bailey Russell; Austin Graves, Austin Frye (4), Austin Gregory (5), Hunter Read (6) and Kemper Dixon. WP – Rockwell. LP – Graves. Records: Gallatin 13-9 overall, 1-4 in the District 9-AAA North Division; Portland 8-15, 0-5.