Griffin High pitcher Daniel Gooden prepares to pitch against Union Grove last season. Gooden was the winning pitcher Monday night against Russell County, allowing 3 earned runs on 1 hit in 4 innings. He struck out 10 and walked 4. (Jeff Armstrong/Daily News — File)
The Bears (1-0) beat Russell County for the first time in years and also won their season opener for the first time since the 2008 season.
Griffin took the early lead on the Warriors, rolling to a 3-0 advantage in the top of the third inning. Russell County scored three runs in the bottom half of the third, but the Bears took the lead for good in the fourth with a four-run outburst to lead 7-3. The Warriors trimmed the gap to 7-6 in the sixth inning, but that was as close as the team from Seale, Ala., would get.
Griffin erupted for three runs in the top of the seventh to take a 10-6 lead, and it held strong from there, giving up one run in the bottom of the seventh for the final 10-7 margin.
Griffin junior Daniel Gooden was 3 for 4 with 2 runs scored and 3 RBIs. Gooden was also the winning pitcher, allowing 3 earned runs on 1 hit in four innings of work. He struck out 10 and walked 4 batters. Bears infielder Quantico Dodson was 2 for 5 with 3 runs scored and infielder Marquavious Brownlee was 2 for 3 with 2 runs scored. Every starter except one had a hit in the game for Griffin, which is off until its home opener Feb. 27 at 6 p.m. against Region 4-AAAA foe Stockbridge.
The Bears have been scoring runs in bunches so far this season, tallying 16 runs in their scrimmage victory at Strong Rock Feb. 14 and 10 runs against Russell County.
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