Gators score 18 runs in the first inning

With a month of the season gone and not a lot to show for it, the Vicksburg Gators needed a game like this.

The Gators sent 24 men to the plate and scored 18 runs in the first inning Friday night, on the way to a 19-2 win over Lanier at Bazinsky Field.

It was the Gators’ second consecutive division win — both over Lanier — after five losses to start the season, and a welcome opportunity to kick back and enjoy a dominating performance.

“We needed that. We really did,” Vicksburg coach Derrick DeWald said. “I challenged the guys yesterday that we needed to come out with intensity, because I felt like the other night when we played them our intensity level was down there. I challenged them to jump on somebody early, and this feels good.”

Vicksburg’s big first inning started with some small ball, as Marcus Williams led off with a bunt single. He scored the first run of the game on a double by Lee Middleton, and the Gators just kept pouring it on.

Tyler Smith tripled twice and drove in three runs in the inning, which lasted nearly 40 minutes. Chandler Luke and Sean East each had an RBI single as the Gators collected seven hits. Lanier’s pitchers also walked seven batters and hit one, and there were four passed balls.

Ten batters came to the plate before an out was recorded. It came on the basepaths, when Williams checked up rounding third following an outfield error and was caught in a rundown. The first batter to record an out was Middleton, who hit a sacrifice fly as the 21st player to bat.

“Once our leadoff man got on, we got fired up. Everybody else just chipped in after that,” Smith said.

Despite their early-season struggles, the Gators are finishing up the first month in a pretty good spot.

They’re 2-1 in Division 4-5A, 2-5 overall, and riding a winning streak heading into this afternoon’s game against crosstown foe St. Aloysius at 2 p.m.

After that, a key division game against Callaway awaits Tuesday night at Bazinsky Field.

“I’m not going to worry about Tuesday. I’m going to enjoy tonight,” DeWald said. “We’ve got to turn around and play a very good St. Al team, and we need to come out with the same intensity. If we don’t, I’m going to be very disappointed. But overall, I’m very happy.”