The Veterans Warhawks hosted the Tift County Blue Devils on Tuesday evening in the opening game of a three-game non-region series—one that will carry added importance in 2027 when the teams become region rivals.
Tift County wasted no time jumping ahead, scoring two runs in the top of the first inning to take an early 2–0 lead. Veterans quickly answered in the bottom half, plating two runs of their own to even the score at 2–2.
The Blue Devils then surged ahead with a five-run stretch, building a commanding 7–2 advantage. However, the Warhawks responded immediately in dramatic fashion. Veterans erupted for five runs in the following inning, capitalizing in part on defensive miscues, including a costly error that allowed three runs to score, tying the game at 7–7.
As the game progressed, Tift County regained a narrow 8–7 lead. But in the bottom of the sixth inning, Veterans mounted the decisive rally. With the bases loaded and the game tied, Dillon Harris hit a sharp ground ball to the left side that the third baseman failed to handle cleanly. The misplay allowed the go-ahead run to score, giving Veterans a 9–8 edge.
The Warhawks added insurance runs and held off Tift County the rest of the way, securing an 11–8 victory in a high-scoring contest. With the win, Veterans improves to 13–13 on the season.
The two teams will meet again Friday in Tifton for a non-region doubleheader as the series continues.
