Gladiators Top Lanier Behind Strong Pitching, Timely Hitting

Gladiators Top Lanier 3–1 Behind Strong Pitching, Timely Hitting

Johns Creek, Ga. — The Johns Creek Gladiators earned an important region victory Friday night, defeating the Lanier Longhorns 3–1 at Johns Creek High School behind a pair of standout pitching performances and a steady offensive effort.

Henry Lindberg took the mound to open the game and worked 2.2 solid innings, keeping Lanier in check before turning the ball over to Shaan Banka. Banka was dominant in relief, shutting down the Longhorns over the final 4.1 innings and allowing no runs as he secured the win for Johns Creek.

At the plate, the Gladiators were paced by Drew King, who turned in a two‑hit performance that included a ringing double off the left‑field fence. Luke Volpe, Micah Wilcox, and Rhys Williams each contributed hits, helping to keep pressure on Lanier’s pitching staff throughout the night.

Johns Creek added a key insurance run late when Jake Blackwelder executed a perfectly placed safety‑squeeze bunt, extending the Gladiators’ lead and giving their pitching staff extra breathing room.

The Gladiators’ defense was sharp from start to finish, backing their pitchers with clean, confident play that prevented Lanier from mounting a late rally.

With the 3–1 win, Johns Creek continues to build momentum in region play, showcasing a balanced team effort that combined effective pitching, timely hitting, and dependable defense.

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