A recent stretch of inclement weather has made it difficult for the Dawson County baseball team to practice, let alone play games these past couple weeks.

“It’s been difficult because we haven’t been on the field,” said Coach Dwayne Sapp. “We played last Saturday, two games, and we played last (Thursday) night. That’s the only time we’ve been on the field in 14 days.”

The Tigers lost to Savannah Christian and Ebert County, 8-5 and 8-4 respectively, on Feb. 17 and dropped their game against North Forsyth, 12-2, on Feb. 22.

A scheduled game against Riverwood on Feb. 20 was cancelled, and the North Forsyth game, originally a home game for the Tigers, was played at North Forsyth due to wet field conditions at Dawson County.

Those were the challenges facing the Tigers when they traveled to Alpharetta, another home game that had to be moved, to face the Raiders on Friday night. This time, however, the Tigers came out on top with a 4-2 victory to close out the week.

The Tigers started the game with a solo homerun on their first at bat, something Sapp said helped settle the team down.

“Anytime you get a lead, and I love to get leads early,” Sapp said. “Anytime you get a lead early, it makes it easier because (the other team) has to catch you. Everything you do, it helps as long as you got the lead. When you’re behind, it takes away some of your game.”

The Tigers scored another run in the first inning to take a 2-0 lead.

Up 2-1 in the bottom of the fifth inning, the Tigers were able to strand an Alpharetta baserunner on third base to preserve the lead, and in the top of the sixth, Dawson County scored two more runs to take a 4-1 lead.

The Tigers were able to advance a runner to third base with no outs after a couple stolen bases. After back-to-back outs, it looked like the Tigers were going to do what the Raiders did and leave their runner stranded. But that was not to be the case, as the Tigers scored on a wild pitch to increase their lead.

Pitcher Palmer Sapp was able to preserve the lead with a complete game performance to allow the Tigers to end a rough two weeks with a win.

“Palmer pitched great tonight,” Sapp said. “He threw a complete game which you don’t expect at this point in the year. He’s a just gamer, it’s what he is. I’m proud of him. I wish I had more like him, but I only had two kids.”

The team is scheduled to play Athens Christian March 1 and Prince Ave March 2 at home, and Fannin County away on March 6.