DAWSONVILLE -- Will Simmons went six innings striking out eight in leading West Hall to a 7-4 win over Dawson County Thursday in a battle for the final playoff spot in Region 7-AAA.
It was basically a one-game showdown for the final spot with both teams tied in the standings heading into the contest. The Spartans clinched the spot by virtue of winning the season series 2-1 over the Tigers.
West Hall (9-13, 7-10 Region 7-AAA) will close out the regular season Friday at home against Banks County. Dawson County (8-16, 6-11) will travel to Lumpkin on Friday in its season finale. Lumpkin County needs a win to clinch the No. 2 in the region. A Lumpkin loss would give East Hall the No. 2 seed.
Both teams scored a run in the third and the Spartans blew it open with three runs each in the fourth and fifth innings to take a 7-1 lead. Dawson County closed the gap with three runs in the bottom of the fifth but the Tigers could get no closer.
Charlie Cochran came on in the seventh in relief of Simmons and struck out two to get the save.
Josh Anderson had two hits for West Hall. Carter Lot and Merritt Gazaway had two RBI each for the Spartans.
It was a big turnaround for the Spartans over the past two days. They came into Wednesday's game with Lumpkin County riding a six-game losing streak but knocked off the Indians and then the Tigers on Thursday in must-win scenarios to get into the playoffs.
