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It was all to play for on Monday between the Dodgers and the Yard Goats in the West Georgia Men’s Baseball League championship. The Dodgers used a four-run sixth inning to come from behind and take the championship with a 5-3 victory.

The early part of the game was back-and-forth before both teams settled into the game. The Yard Goats opened the scoring in the bottom of the first inning when Cam Gosdin hit a sacrifice fly that brought Mason Green home. 

The Dodgers promptly tied the game when Miles Cameron hit a double that brought home Bo Halcomb. This would be the only hit the Dodgers got in the first four innings as Gosdin and Chandler Lott dominated on the mound for the Yard Goats.  Gosdin got the start and went three innings, striking out four while Lott came in and pitched one inning, striking out two and not allowing a hit. 

The Yard Goats retook the lead in the bottom of the third inning when Lott and Cole Freeman each hit a solo home run. 

The game stayed locked in at 3-1 until the Dodgers offense sprung to life in the top of the sixth as the Yard Goats made some pitching changes. 

After Damon Haskett was hit by a pitch, Halcomb tied the game with a two-run bomb to center field. A walk from Cameron and a double from Wynton Heard had the Dodgers in business. Antonio Evans Sr. hit a sacrifice fly to center field to drive in what would end up being the winning run. A Tay Williams sacrifice fly drove in Heard to add an insurance run to the Dodgers lead. 

The Yard Goats were able to get runners on first and second with one out in the bottom of the sixth, but that was the closest they would get to tying the game as the Dodgers slammed the door on any comeback attempt. 

Eddie Sawtelle pitched the final two innings, allowing just one hit. When Sawtelle forced a lineout to left field, jubilation took over the Dodgers dugout as the players piled onto the field to receive their trophy. 

The entire Dodgers pitching staff was on it on Monday, with the starter, Williams, throwing four innings while only allowing five hits and two earned runs. Ross Parker also pitched an inning in which he did not allow a hit.

The game was truly decided by fine margins as both teams finished with six hits. 

Halcomb led the way for the Dodgers offense, going 2-for-3 with two RBIs and two runs scored and a walk. Cameron, Heard, Williams and Parker all had a hit apiece. 

It was Freeman that led the way for the Yard Goats offense, going 2-for-2 with an RBI and a run scored. Green, Lott, Josh Hanson and Hunter Rollins all had a hit each.

Monday marked the final game of the 2023 West Georgia Men’s Baseball League, but the league is set to be back for its seventh edition next summer.