Bulldogs Claim Bragging Rights with Win Over Hornets

By: Shelia Mader

Marianna and Cottondale split a tight intra-county series, with the Bulldogs needing extra innings to secure a 5-4 road win after cruising 14-1 in the first meeting.

In the extra-inning victory, Marianna finished with five runs on five hits, led by Aiden Smith (one hit, one RBI) and Landon Attaway (one hit, two RBIs), while Cody Byrd, Jodan Broxton and Beau Swearingen each added a hit. On the mound, Swearingen worked four innings (four hits, three earned runs, five walks, three strikeouts) before Byrd closed it out over five innings to earn the win (five hits, one earned run, one walk and two strikeouts).

Cottondale answered with nine hits in the loss, paced by Conner Barton (three hits, RBI) and Jaydon Gray (one hit, three RBIs). Tyler Jones tossed four innings (no hits, three runs, one of those earned, seven walks and four strikeouts), while Lane Johnson went five innings (five hits, two runs, one of those earned, two walks and seven strikeouts).

Cottondale will be in action this week during spring break before returning to face Liberty County in a road game on Tuesday, March 31. Marianna played a scheduled game Saturday March 21 (that game is covered in a separate article in this edition of the TIMES) and will return to action Monday, March 30 on the road at FSUHS and Tuesday at Leon High School Game times are 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. respectively.