CHULA – Thursday’s non-region game at Tiftarea was just what the doctor ordered for the Cairo Syrupmakers heading into Region 1-4A play next week. Cairo tallied seven hits, capitalized on three Tiftarea errors and limited the Panthers to just two hits, cruising to a 10-0 rout. The win snapped a two-game losing streak, as Cairo will host Hardaway in its region opener on Tuesday.
“You look at this week, and we played Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday. We went to Port St. Joe (Florida) on Tuesday, played Colquitt County last night and then playing up here tonight. We have swung the bats really well, but we haven’t been able to put together a complete game, whether it was pitching or defense,” Cairo coach Randy Adams said. “Tonight, we were able to do that, and it should be a huge boost going into region next week.”
Junior right-handed pitcher Cannon Maige played a key role in Cairo playing a complete game Thursday night. He limited the Panthers to two hits, two walks and four strikeouts in five shutout innings. He also collected two hits and four RBIs in pacing the Syrupmakers offensive attack.
“Cannon’s a special talent. He’s our normal starting shortstop, but he’s had to fill a role since Ty Hatcher got hurt,” Adams said. “It was the second start of the year for him, and he was really good tonight. He does a good job at the plate. Even when he got out at the plate, he was able to still focus on his job on the mound. I was proud of his performance.”
Junior Eli Cooper tallied two singles and reached based three times in the leadoff position. Senior first baseman Braden Kines added a hit and RBI while reaching base four times.
Cairo, which had lost five of its last six games heading into Thursday’s game, improved to 4-5. Cairo will host Hardaway on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m.