Weldon, Brooks hit grand slams in same inning
Published 12:29 pm Wednesday, February 26, 2025
TIFTON — Tift County’s Diamond Devils have already reached red hot status and they are not out of February yet.
After dropping their regular season opener, Tift has reeled off six straight victories. They won both games at Baseball at the Beach, including a comeback over Glynn Academy. Tuesday, they defeated a strong Schley County, 10-3.
The Diamond Devils welcome a pair of Florida schools this weekend: Baker County at 4 p.m. Friday and West Nassau Saturday at 5:30 p.m. From there, they jump directly into Region 1-6A with Valdosta here on March 4.
An eight-run third inning was more than enough to down Schley’s Wildcats in Ellaville.
Ean Weldon and Mac Brooks not only both homered in that third frame, but hit grand slams.
Head coach Greg Williams said in a text message that the feat was a first for his coaching career.
Brooks went first, driving in Will Pridgen, John Davis and Tyler VanSumeren. Four batters later, it was Weldon bringing home Jake Spurlin, Sam Pritchard and Mason Grist.
VanSumeren had the other two RBIs. Davis allowed no earned runs in five innings to win.
Against Glynn, the Blue Devils went ahead with a three-spot in the fifth after the Red Terrors had a 3-2 lead.
Ryan Whitley pitched a complete game, striking out three. Weldon drove in two runs, Davis had two hits and Brooks scored twice.
Earlier Saturday, Tift County two-hit Locust Grove in a 5-0 win. Pridgen and VanSumeren combined for the shutout.
Grist had the big bat, two hits — including a triple — and drove in three runs. Spurlin and Brooks scored two runs apiece.