THOMASVILLE — Thomas County Central’s baseball team split a region doubleheader against Bainbridge on Thursday night, becoming victims of two big innings for a 10-3 loss in Game 1 before taking a close 4-3 win in Game 2.

In addition to the big win, the second game of the night was also notable for another reason. Keyton Smith made his final high school start, his senior season ending due to a surgical procedure on his pancreas that is set for Monday. Parents, teammates, coaches and fans came onto the field after the game to send him well wishes.

He got the win, allowing three runs on eight hits, striking out three over seven innings.

“His season got cut a little short, but his perspective on things is well beyond his years,” Central baseball coach Chad Parkerson said. “He sees things the right way.”

The Yellow Jackets (11-10, 7-1) jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in their second matchup of the evening, with Kaleb Carter hitting an RBI single to bring in Jackson NeSmith and Shane Stephenson.

Central followed that up in the second, adding two more for a 4-0 advantage with RBI hits from NeSmith and Doug Smith. 

Bainbridge did not go quietly, scoring three in the top of the fifth to give Central a scare, but the Yellow Jackets made the last six outs to secure the win. 

“In the first game, they beat us,” Parkerson said. “They’re a good team and they hit the ball well. To our guys’ testament, they went out there and did what they had to do in the second game.”

Errors threatened to keep the Bearcats from victory for much of Game 1, and the Yellow Jackets took full advantage of them early on. With the game scoreless in the third, Hunter Humphries reached on a throwing error on Bainbridge shortstop Keith Lyle. 

During the next at-bat, Nick Herndon reached on a wacky play after hitting the ball softly down the right field line. Bainbridge pitcher Will Kelley gave chase towards the ball — and inadvertently towards Herndon, who jumped backward to avoid him before dashing towards the bag.

That play paid off for the Jackets, who took a 2-0 lead when Herndon and NeSmith — who reached on a fielder’s choice — both scored after Doug Smith drove a ball deep to left. Bainbridge left fielder Carson Inlow leaped up at the wall to make a play, but to no avail.

Bainbridge responded by batting around its order in the fifth, notching six hits, including four straight singles, to take a 4-2 lead.

In the sixth, the Jackets narrowed the Bearcat lead to 4-3 when Zach Fletcher singled to bring home Jarrett Barwick. Central was not able to tie the game with two runners on and one out, but the game was still in reach headed into the final inning.

However, Bainbridge put everything out of reach for good by scoring six runs in the top of the seventh, three of them coming on a home run from Kelley.

Doug Smith started Game 1 for the Yellow Jackets, taking the loss after pitching 4.1 innings. Herndon finished 2-for-4 with a double, and Fletcher ended the game 2-for-3.

Thursday’s results kept Central on pace with Veterans, who sits just behind them in the standings. The Jackets will host a pivotal doubleheader with the Warhawks to determine first place on April 7.