The Ware County Gators baseball team delivered an offensive showcase on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, defeating Coffee County 18-10 in a high-scoring road victory.
Leading the charge was Slade Sweat, who turned in a remarkable performance at the plate. Sweat blasted four home runs and drove in nine runs, powering the Gators in one of the most dominant individual performances of the season. He homered in the second, third, fourth, and sixth innings, including a grand slam that highlighted a massive early surge.
Coffee County struck first in the bottom of the opening inning, using a pair of home runs to take an early lead. However, Ware County quickly responded in the top of the second inning, erupting for seven runs on five hits to take control of the game. Sweat’s grand slam proved to be the turning point, shifting momentum firmly in favor of the Gators.
The offensive momentum continued into the third inning as Ware County added eight more runs. Seth Suess delivered a key two-run double, while Sweat connected again for a three-run homer. The Gators capitalized on patience at the plate as well, drawing multiple walks that contributed to the big inning.
Ware County continued to apply pressure in the fourth inning with back-to-back home runs from Seth Suess and Sweat, extending the lead even further. Sweat capped off his historic night with a solo home run in the sixth.
On the mound, Seth Suess earned the win, working through a challenging outing while keeping the Gators in control. Slade Sweat and Ashton Suess provided strong relief appearances, each tossing a scoreless inning to help secure the victory.
Offensively, Ware County tallied 15 hits in the contest. Sweat and Landon Smallwood each collected four hits, forming a powerful combination in the lineup. Seth Suess and Isaiah White also contributed multiple hits, while Keaton Holloway added speed on the bases with two stolen bases. As a team, the Gators swiped five bases and played clean defensively, not committing an error. Tanner Larisey led the defensive effort with eight chances in the field.
Coffee County matched Ware County with 15 hits of their own, showing resilience throughout the contest, but the Gators’ explosive innings proved too much to overcome.
Up Next
Ware County will return to action on Thursday, April 2, 2026, as they travel to Appling County for another Region 1-AAAA matchup. First pitch is scheduled for 6:00 PM.
Tickets: $7.00 (available online at GoFan.co or at the gate)
Game Day Policies
Clear Bag Policy: All spectators must adhere to the clear bag policy for entry into the facility.
Parental Supervision Policy: All students must be accompanied by a parent or responsible adult to attend the game.