BROOKLET — Southeast Bulloch blew a 6-2 lead in the top of the seventh inning, but bounced up off of the mat to score three in the bottom half for a thrilling 9-8 victory over Screven County Wednesday night.
    “That’s the kind of game you expect between Southeast Bulloch and Screven County,” SEB coach Brandon Peterson said. “This isn’t a region game anymore, but I knew that neither team was going to roll over just because they were down in the last inning.”
    After allowing six runs in the top of the seventh, Seth Morgan lined a one-out double off of Bobby Hodges to start the game-winning rally.
    Tyler Brown followed with a single and Zach Hall walked to load the bases before Keagan Carter beat out an infield single to get SEB within 8-7.
    Eli Page bounced a ball to second base, but his hustle forced a wild throw as Screven tried to end the game with a double play. Brown scored on the initial grounder and Corey McCollum — running for Hall — scored on the overthrow to cap the win.
    “We were a little down after the top of the seventh,” Peterson said. “But I could see everyone pick up before we went out there to hit. We didn’t give up and we had a lot of guys come through with big hits.”
    Screven County (3-5, 1-2 Region 3-AA) looked to be down and out in the seventh, but SEB starter Ryan Adams (6 1/3 IP, 7 K, 6 H) couldn’t finish the job for the Yellow Jackets (8-4, 6-2 Region 1-AAA).
    Adams struck out the first batter he faced in the seventh, but then allowed two walks and a single to load the bases. Shadon Kemp came up big for the Gamecocks, smashing a fastball off the wall in left for a two-run double. Another walk issued by Adams ended his night.
    Carter came on to try and collect the save, but Screven continued to rally as Dawson Oglesby lofted a sacrifice fly to right to make it 6-5. Carter coaxed a ground ball to second off the bat of Bailey Pollock, but Tyler Epps’ throw sailed wide, allowing Kemp to score from third and tie the game.
    Carter’s control then abandoned him as two walks and a hit batter gave Screven the 8-6 advantage.
    “You’ve got to give a ton of credit to Screven,” Peterson said. “They weren’t about to go down without a fight.”
    The Gamecocks took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning as Aaron Brower drew a leadoff walk and Carl Heindel doubled him home.
    SEB took the lead on a pair of unearned runs in the third inning, but Screven tied it up at 2-2 in the fourth.
    A two-run triple by Tyler Epps (3-for-4, 2 RBI) capped the four run fourth inning for SEB that held until the seventh inning dramatics played out.

    Mike Anthony may be reached at (912) 489-9404.