WINDER -- Harrison Styles went the distance allowing just one run to lead Gainesville to a big 7-1, Region 8-AAAAA victory over Winder-Barrow Wednesday on the road.
With the win the Red Elephants (14-4, 9-2 Region 8-AAAAA) remained tied for first with Loganville in the region. The Red Devils knocked off Lanier 3-0 on Wednesday.
The loss knocked the Bulldoggs (12-5, 8-3) a game behind Gainesville, with the two teams meeting at Ivey-Watson on Friday.
Gainesville’s offense got going early. Caleb Whitenton, who had a big game against Loganville on Monday, gave the Red Elephants a quick 2-0 lead on a two-run home run in the bottom of the first off Bulldoggs’ starter Drew Hardigree.
The score stayed that way until the bottom of the third. Winder-Barrow went quickly in the first two innings but did close the gap to 2-1.
Styles settled down the rest of the way. Meanwhile, the Red Elephants offense was able to knock out Hardigree in the fifth. Gainesville added on three runs, highlighted by a two-run double with the bases loaded by Mikey Gonzalez. Michael Curry had a RBI single in the inning to push the lead to 5-1. Bailey Hawkins came on in relief of Hardigree to get out the jam without allowing any more runs.
The Red Elephants put it out of reach with two more runs in the top of the seventh.
