The Griffin Bears baseball team faced a bit of adversity Monday night, but came through with flying colors, defeating the Woodland-Stockbridge Wolfpack 2-1 in Region 4-AAAA action at the Bear’s Den.

The Bears now improve to 5-0 overall and 2-0 in region play, the Bears’ best start to a season in probably more than 10 years. Woodland falls 1-2, 0-1.

This was a big win for Griffin. Woodland smacked Griffin around in region play last season, beating the Bears 14-3 and 15-5 in 2012.

It was a different story this season, as Bears junior fireballer Daniel Gooden held the Wolfpack at bay. Gooden went all 7 innings, striking out 12 while walking only 2 and allowing only one hit. The lefty Gooden struck out 8 batters in a row at one point in the game.

Griffin scored its runs in the first inning. Keyston Fuller singled, stole second and scored on an error for the 1-0 Bears lead. Cornelius Randolph reached on an error and Gooden helped his own cause with an RBI double for the 2-0 lead. Mikell Davis scored Woodland’s only run in the fifth inning on a series of Griffin errors.

The Wolfpack had the tying run on base in the top of the 7th, but the Bears got a strikeout from Gooden and catcher John Pope threw out the Wolfpack runner trying to steal second for the double play. Gooden got the Wolfpack’s final batter out for the win.

Woodland's T.J. Riles went 0-for-1 with two walks, showing good discipline in two of his three plate appearances.

Griffin's next game is Wednesday at region foe Riverdale at 6 p.m.

Griffin 15, Washington County 0 (Saturday): Trey Mallett threw a no-hitter and the Bears exploded for 15 runs in 3 innings to defeat Washington County in the finale of the GHS Diamond Day Classic at the Bear’s Den. Montico Dodson had 6 hits in two Classic games for the Bears.

GRIFFIN HIGH

Date| Opponent |Time

2/18 |Russell Co. |W 10-7

2/27 |STOCKBRIDGE* |W 13-0

3/2 |vs. Howard |W 13-12

3/2 |vs. WACO |W 15-0

3/4 |WOODLAND* |W 2-1

3/6 |Riverdale* |5:55

3/8 |Dutchtown* |5:55

3/11 |E. LANDING* |5:55

3/12 |Jonesboro* |5:55

3/13 |Newnan |5:30

3/15 |UPSON-LEE* |5:55

3/18 |N. Clayton* |5:55

3/20 |SPALDING* |5:55

3/22 |L. Grove* |5:55

3/27 |Stockbridge* |5:55

3/29 |JONESBORO* |5:55

4/1 |Woodland* |5:55

4/3 |RIVERDALE* |5:55

4/5 |DUTCHTOWN* |5:55

4/8 |E. Landing* |5:30

4/10 |Ola |5:55

4/12 |Upson-Lee* |5:55

4/15 |N. CLAYTON* |5:55

4/17 |Spalding* |5:55

4/19 |L. GROVE* |5:55

4/26 |Pike Co. |5:30

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