JEFFERSON — Jefferson rallied from an early deficit to knock off Oconee County 6-4 in the first of a three-game series for first place in Region 8-AAAA.
The win pulled the Dragons (14-6, 5-2 Region 8-AAAA) into a virtual tie with the Warriors (14-5, 5-2) atop the region standings. The two teams will move the series to Watkinsville on Wednesday before returning to Jefferson on Friday.
Brandon Trefren went 6 2/3 innings allowing four runs on seven hits to get the win on the mound. He fanned three and walked none.
Oconee County jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead after the first inning. But after a shaky start going down in order in each of the first two innings, the Jefferson offense exploded in the third and fourth innings.
The Dragons sent a combined 19 batters to the plate in the two innings to pummel Oconee County starter Lane Cummings for five runs on eight hits and knocked him out of the game after just 3 2/3 innings.
Billy Finch, Justin Cole, and Kasen Rainey combined for eight hits and five RBI to lead an 11-hit Jefferson attack. Carter Evans, Chaz Evans, and Zac Corbin each had one hit for the Dragons.
Trefen had cruised after giving up the first inning run but ran into huge trouble in the seventh. Trefen hit three batters and two wild pitches brought in runs. Logan Garner came on in relief and walked in one run but then got a flyout to left to end the game with the bases loaded to earn the save.
