Monday night’s baseball game between Southeast Bulloch and Toombs County looked as though it would be a slugfest, but after scoring seven runs in the first two innings, the Yellow Jackets were outscored 7-0 from the third inning on and lost 12-7.

    “We did some good things early, especially offensively,” said Southeast Bulloch coach Brandon Peterson. “We kind of lost our approach in the middle of the game at the plate, and then had a few defensive breakdowns late in the game that led to the loss.”

    Toombs County jumped out to a 1-0 lead, but the Yellow Jackets came back. Back to back doubles by Tyler Bailey and Tyler Deloach made it 1-0. Later, with Dylan Raurks on third and Deloach on second, Chase Walker drove a single to right. Both runners scored and Southeast had a 3-1 lead.

    The Bulldogs quickly respond in the top of the second. A two run single by Chandler Lynn tied the game at 3-3. Later Brock Harrison came through with a two-run double to center, giving Toombs County a 5-3 advantage.

    Southeast Bulloch regained the lead in their half of the inning. Back to back singles by Toby Williams and Bailey were followed by a bunt by Cole Mincey, which loaded up the bases for Tyler Deloach. Deloach cleared the base paths with one swing, a deep drive to straight away centerfield cleared the fence for a grand slam and a 7-5 Yellow Jacket lead.

    “We were aggressive early, and hit the ball well,” Peterson said. “Tyler Bailey had a few good at bats, and the grand slam by Deloach was impressive. We need to continue to do more of the at the plate.”

    Toombs County added a run in the top of the third to cut the lead to 7-6, but Southeast Bulloch pitcher Michael Rigdon struck out the side in the fourth, and it looked like the Jackets had some momentum.

    “I felt Rigdon did a great job keeping us in the game in the middle innings,” Peterson said. “We were pitching behind in the count though most of the night, too many free passes, and a few errors we need to clean up.”

    Things changed quickly in the top of the sixth as Toombs erupted for three more runs. A Southeast Bulloch error allowed the Bulldogs to tie the game, and then Aaron Gordy drove a two run single to right, giving Toombs County a 9-7 lead.

    The Jackets would struggle off Bulldog reliever Dalton Lynn who had five strikeouts in three innings of work. Another Yellow Jacket error would plate two more Bulldog runs, and they would end up winning 12-7.

    “I just didn’t feel we played with an edge out here tonight,” Peterson said. “We did against ECI this weekend, and we need to remember that. It’s a long season and there are some things we have to work on, but things are correctable. We’ve got to get back together and get ready for region play.”

    Southeast Bulloch drops to 2-3 overall and will open region play Friday as they host Savannah High in a doubleheader starting at 4:30 p.m.