By CURTIS ROCKWELL/Sports Director

WAYNESBORO — Vissiting Vancleave secured its opening Region 4-5A series of the season with its second road win in five days here Saturday afternoon.

The Bulldogs bounced back from a Friday night home loss to Wayne County to take a 6-2 win over the War Eagles. The win moves VHS to 10-6 overall and 2-1 in the region race, while WCHS falls to 8-7 overall and 1-2 in league play.

Vancleave erupted for a four spot in the top of the seventh Saturday to break open a 2-2 tie and seal the series with the win. Cam Sherrod’s RBI-single gave the Bulldogs their third one run lead at that point to make it 3-2, and then Conner Mitchell delivered the big blow with a two-run double to make it 5-2 before Sherrod completed the scoring when he came home on a wild pitch.

Aiden English then trotted back out to the mound, and after the War Eagles loaded the bases with just one out he struck out the final two batters to close out the win for VHS.

Harris Henry collected three hits to lead Vancleave at the plate, and Reese Thomason also had a double as did Mitchell.

English earned the win with two frames in relief of Mitchell, who tossed the first five innings.

Colt Branch had three hits for Wayne County.

On Friday night, the Waar Eagles found a similar path to victory as the Bulldogs did on Saturday as they took game two of the series 6-3 after rallying for three runs in the top of the seventh as well to break a 3-3 tie.

Both Henry and Wyatt Adams had two hits apiece for the home team, and Royce Gatz drove in a pair of runs.

Carter Fazio threw six complete stanzas for VHS but was saddled with the loss.

Vancleave opens a three game leage set with perennial state power and newcomer to Region 4-5A Purvis Tuesdxay night at home.