Gulf Breeze Opens Aggie Classic With Big Win Over Perry, OK

Carter Mcllwain sprints to first base during Gulf Breeze’s 9-3 rout over Perry, Oklahoma, on Monday night in the Aggie Classic. Photo by Anna Prindle.

The Gulf Breeze Dolphins got off to the right start in the 2024 Aggie Classic, as the offense erupted early and never looked back to earn a 9-3 victory over the Perry Maroons, from Oklahoma. Serving as a host site, the Dolphins (5-7) defended their home turf with a big night at the plate, as they connected for 12 hits and every starter reached base to contribute.

It is the second season in a row that Gulf Breeze has opened the Aggie Classic with a victory.

The Dolphins did not waste any time in setting the tone, busting out with three runs in the bottom of the first inning for a lead that they never relinquished. An inning later they were right back at it again to score three more runs that were the difference, before adding another three runs in the fifth.

Kylan Cook scores for the Dolphins. Photo by Anna Prindle.

The Maroons (9-2) actually applied the pressure first, by loading the bases on walks in the top of the first inning. But Dolphins starter Jake Hooten settled in and struck out the next two batters to escape the threat unharmed and give his side all the momentum.

The offense went right to work to reward him. Gavin Quenneville lined a lead-off single to left field, Bryson Rouillier followed with a single to center and Hooten was hit by a pitch, and just like that it was Gulf Breeze who had the bases loaded. Only this time the bats delivered, as Tommy Regan lined a double to center that drove in two runs. After Battle Alberson singled to keep things going, Josh Peterson also came through with an RBI single on a blooper to center.

Gulf Breeze was right back at it in the second, as the first three batters all reached base to keep the pressure cooking. Kylan Cook walked and Quenneville followed with a double to center, as Cook then scored the winning run off an infield error. Rouillier reached on an infield RBI single to short, and Alberson added an RBI single that doubled the lead to a 6-0 advantage.

Carter Hoeft scored and also drove in a pair of runs. Photo by Anna Prindle.

Perry answered back to break up the shutout with a couple of runs in the top of the third inning, but the Dolphins responded back by stretching the lead even further with their third three-run inning of the contest in the fifth.

Carter Mcllwain got it started with two outs when he stroked a single past the second baseman. Peterson then delivered his second hit of the night, before he was replaced on the bases by courtesy-runner Dillon Pinardo. It was then Carter Hoeft’s turn to get in on the action, as he smacked a double to center that drove in both base runners. After Cook singled to advance him around the bases, Hoeft also scored following another Perry error.

The Maroons threatened one last time and scored their final run in the top of the seventh, before the Dolphins finished it off to close out the win. Kerrigan Hale recorded the final three outs, after coming on in relief of Londen Taylor. Taylor came on in the fourth and delivered three scoreless relief innings, allowing a hit and a walk while striking out four. Hooten recorded seven strikeouts in his three innings of work, while scattering three hits and five walks.

Jake Hooten, Londen Taylor and Kerrigan Hale combined to get the job done on the mound for the Dolphins. Photo by Anna Prindle.

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