FAYETTEVILE, Ala. – For the second time this season, the Fayetteville Wolves defeated county rival Sylacauga on the baseball diamond. On Monday, March 30, fans at Landers Field were treated to a great game that featured strong performances from both teams, with Fayetteville securing a 5-4 walkoff victory in the bottom of the seventh inning.
Freshman southpaw Axel Culberson got the start on the mound for the Wolves and held Sylacauga scoreless through the first two innings. The Aggies struck first in the top of the third inning, scoring two runs on a double by Hebson Reynolds. Culberson pitched 2.2 innings before turning things over to sophomore Sawyer Braswell. Braswell delivered a solid relief appearance, working three innings while allowing three hits and two earned runs and recording five strikeouts.
Sylacauga starter Rhett Sims was also effective, pitching four innings and allowing just two hits and one earned run while striking out six Fayetteville batters.
The sixth inning proved pivotal for the Wolves. With Fayetteville trailing 4-2, head coach Matt Collier called on Ethan Jones to record the final out of the inning. Jones delivered, and the momentum carried into the bottom half. Fayetteville capitalized on the opportunity and tied the game on a single by catcher Mason Williams, who was batting eighth in the lineup.
Collier praised Williams for his performance, saying, “Mason has done a great job of being ready when his number is called and is a great teammate that works hard. He had two hits tonight and two RBIs, and I am very happy for him.”
The score remained tied at 4-4 heading into the final inning. Fayetteville loaded the bases in the bottom of the seventh, and with one out, Brayden Wood stepped to the plate. Wood delivered a single that brought home the winning run and sealed victory for the Wolves.
Collier was pleased with his team’s effort and grit.
“It’s always nice to win, and I was proud of how our guys competed through all seven innings,” Collier said. “It was not perfect at times, but that is baseball, and we found a way to get it done. Axel, Sawyer, and Ethan kept us in the game and competed well. Those are guys we will continue to rely on as we move into area play and the postseason. Getting a hard fought win at this point in the season is important, and we have to keep improving.”
The Wolves return to action Tuesday at Winterboro for the opening game of their Class 1A, Area 8 series. First pitch is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.
