MT. VERNON – In their first Southern States Athletic Conference series away from home, the ABAC Stallions baseball emphatically proved that their offense is ready for the jump to a larger classification.
 
The Stallions split Saturday's doubleheader against the Brewton-Parker Barons, losing 15-10 in the day's first game before winning 14-12 in 11 innings in the nightcap. Combined with Friday's win, the Stallions took two of three from the Barons to even their SSAC record at 3-3.
 
The success of the weekend lies squarely on the shoulders of the Stallion hitters.
 
Over the three games, ABAC put up 37 runs, had 41 hits, and hit seven home runs. It was an offensive weekend for the ages happening in the second weekend of conference play. But as productive as ABAC was at the plate, their series win was in jeopardy in Game Three when a large lead evaporated late in the game, only to be saved in extra innings.
 
Leading 12-8 entering the bottom of the ninth inning, the Barons scored the three necessary runs to extend the game. In the 11^th, Joe Cooney hit a one-out double to left field before Cris Walley was intentionally walked. Brayden Fordham made the Barons regret that decision with a double to left, scoring both runners for a 14-12 lead. In the bottom of the inning, ABAC allowed the potential tying run on base after a walk and a hit batsmen but escaped with the win.
 
In the deciding game, Fordham went 4-for-6 while Cooney, Joe Fisher, and Harison Childers each had two hits. Nicholas Milbrant earned the win in relief, pitching 2 2/3 innings and allowing only one hit while striking out six.
 
In Saturday's first game, ABAC got behind early and never caught up as the Barons ripped 18 hits and scored runs in bunches. The Stallions got home runs from Fordham, Walley, and Childers while Quentin Rawls had three hits. Starter Kade Haywood was tagged with his second loss of the year.
 
The Stallions will get back on the road Tuesday for a doubleheader in Augusta against Paine College.