Raiders' patience pays off

Through three innings in the second game of a doubleheader against Savannah Christian, Calvary Day starter Daniel Payne retired nine of the first 10 batters he faced.

He lost some of his command in the fourth. SCPS senior first baseman Erik Davis said he knew at the beginning of the inning that Payne was struggling to throw strikes.

"We've always been a patient team," he said. "We want to get pitchers into deep pitch counts, and so it worked into our favor once we realized he was struggling. Make him throw more pitchers [and] find your pitch."

Payne issued five walks in the frame, and the Raiders scored four runs to take their first lead of the day a 5-1 win.

Getting some payback

The win was the Raiders' first against their rival in their last four playoff games.

"It's just some redemption," Davis said. "We say we get to game three, we're better off. That's all we've been working at - trying to get to game three. We were able to do that. It feels great."

Lawlor dominant

In game one, Valdosta State recruit Ryan Lawlor was dominant for Calvary. He allowed one run on one hit, going the distance for his second consecutive start and second straight one-hitter.

The Raiders countered with freshman Chandler Wilkinson. The Raiders' right-hander threw well for four innings, allowing two runs on five hits.

He ran into some trouble in the fifth, as Lawlor led off the frame with a single. Calvary center fielder Chris Jones sacrificed him to second. For the second consecutive at-bat, Savannah Christian opted to intentionally walk catcher Skylar Strickland. Payne, the first baseman, drew a walk.

Raiders' coach Carl Carter made a call to the bullpen, bringing in Scott Brodmann. He got ahead of Cavaliers' infielder Hunter Newman. On a 2-1 pitch, the LSU signee delivered a two-run single through the left side, giving Lawlor a 4-1 lead.

The senior southpaw made it stand up, as he struck out 11 in his second consecutive one-hitter.

Carter said he started the freshman because Wilkinson has been throwing strikes on a consistent basis.

Etc.

Savannah Christian pitching retired Newman for the first time in the top of the sixth. Newman was 6 for 6 with six singles and two RBIs prior to that at-bat. … Lawlor threw a couple of wild pitches. Savannah Christian senior center fielder Will Austin scored the Raiders' only run of the first game on one. … Strickland said the rain delay did not really affect what his team was planning on doing. Instead, the Cavaliers wanted to avoid what happened to them last week.