The Cougars scored their runs in the first and third innings while Cass punched two runs across in the fourth and sixth innings to end regulation tied at 4-all.
The game remained knotted until the top of the 12th inning.
That's when Gates smacked a double, then turned opportunistic and moved to third on an error. He scored the game's winning run on a wild pitch.
Cass had scored its first two runs in the top of the fourth after Dalton Parham singled his way on and Gates scored his first run and sent Hunter Southern, pinch running for Parham, around the base path with a home run, to close to 4-2.
In the sixth, Gates singled and then advanced to second on a single by Dylan Williams. Brandon Etheridge contributed a sacrifice bunt but then got on due to an error by the pitcher while Gates scored on that error.
A sacrifice bunt by Chaz Wilson scored Williams and the two teams were 4-all on the scoreboard.
Gates led the Colonels offensively, scoring 3 runs on 4 hits, including his home run, while Williams crossed home place once while tallying two hits. Southern scored the other run for Cass. Also contributing offensively were Sam Ayers, 2 hits, Connor Law, 1 hit; Parham, 1 hit; and Brandon Etheridge, 1 hit.
Cass got its 5 runs on 11 hits.
Gates pitched 3 innings, allowing 6 hits and 4 runs, all earned, while striking out 5 and walking 1; Parham worked 5 1/3 innings, allowed 3 hits and 0 runs while striking out 5; Williams, 2 2/3 innings with 1 hit and 4 strikeouts; and Etheridge, 1 inning with 1 strikeout. Williams got the win for the Colonels and Etheridge picked up the save.
Cass improved to 12-8, 7-7 in Region 7-AAAA. The loss dropped Chattahoochee to 5-17 overall and 5-11 in the region.
The Colonels return to the mound Tuesday when they visit Woodland. The two kick off action at 5:55 p.m.