Two solid pitching performances by a pair of freshmen highlighted a doubleheader sweep for the Vicksburg Gators Saturday afternoon at Bazinsky Field.

Left-hander Stanton Price struck out nine in leading the Gators to a 4-2 win to complete a season-opening sweep of Franklin County. In the opener, freshman right-hander Stefan Gibbs tossed a two-hitter to key VHS to an 8-1 victory.

“The hardest thing to do is win a doubleheader, but I’m really concerned about our health,” VHS coach Jamie Creel said. Tyler Wells rolled his ankle and he didn’t return while Stanton may have pulled his hamstring.”

Wells, the Gators’ starting second baseman, injured himself after stealing second base in the second inning. He stayed in to score the Gators’ first run but did not return.

VHS added a run in the third when Eric Coleman sent courtesy runner Avery Mathes home after a smash went off the glove of Franklin County third baseman Justin Steele.

Steele helped the Bulldogs knot the game at 2-2 in the fourth. He doubled off Price to left field to score Ryan Ratcliffe and then took third when the Gators blew the relay throw home. On the next at bat, Cole Smith sent a deep fly ball to center to score Steele for the tie.

It stayed 2-2 until the bottom of the sixth. The Gators loaded the bases against FC hurler Baron Jones on two hit batters and a walk.

With two outs, Gator designated hitter Nathan Baylot singled sharply into left field, scoring Coleman and Steven Price for a 4-2 lead.

“We were able to get some people on with the hit batters and then Nathan came through with a clutch hit,” Creel said.

Baylot’s eventual game-winner was one of five hits for the Gators. But VHS also suffered two picked off runners.

“That was a horrible job of coaching on my part,” said Creel of the first and third inning pickoffs. “We also had too many fly ball outs.”

Still the Gators’ standout pitching made Creel smile.

“Stanton was great and Stefan was very good. Stefan really located two or three different pitches well.”

Franklin County coach Johnny Daves was impressed by Price.

“The left-hander they threw in the second game was as good as we’ve seen,” Daves said. “We knew Vicksburg would be a challenge for my kids, but that’s why we came here.”

Price gave up a lead-off walk in the seventh but battled back to retire the next three Bulldogs in order. Two of the outs came on called strikes.

Coleman had two hits, a run scored and a RBI to lead VHS. Baylot drove in two. Franklin County (0-2) was led by Steele with two hits.

Vicksburg 8, Franklin Co. 1

Gibbs was masterful in limiting the Bulldogs to two hits while striking out nine. He allowed just one walk.

Offensively, the Gators broke out to a 3-0 lead after two innings and then added two more in the third to go up 5-1.

Stanton Price led the six-hit attack with two doubles and a RBI. Baylot drove in two runs off a double while Jordan Henry knocked one in off a single. Gerald Mims had a double.

Dan Griffin took the loss for Franklin County which was hurt by six errors. Griffin lasted 4 2/3 innings.