JEFFERSON — If anything, Tuesday’s heart-stopping 6-4 win over Oconee County was just another typical day on the diamond for the Jefferson baseball team.
The Dragons had built a 6-1 lead over the Region 8-AAAA-leading Warriors only to unravel in a wild seventh inning that saw three hit batters and two walks while the Warriors batted around, plated three and had the bases loaded.
But junior Logan Garner, who was on the junior varsity team last season, came on in relief of Brandon Trefen to get the final out as the Dragons pulled into a tie for first place with Oconee County.
“Nothing has come easy for us,” long-time Jefferson coach Tommy Knight said. “We knew we had a lot of (varsity) inexperience coming into the season. Half of the roster was on JV last year. I really didn’t know what to expect.
“But I’m seeing that this is a scrappy group. They’re making me a little older a lot quicker. But (the Oconee County game) showed that they are learning how to win.”
With only five seniors on the roster, Knight knew it could take a while for the 2017 squad to find its own identity. But he also knew they wouldn’t be able to spend the entire season chasing it. The six-team Region 8-AAAA features five teams that made the playoffs in 2016.
Against Oconee County, in the field Jefferson started four sophomores -- Lane Watkins (C), Zac Corbin (2B), Sammy Elegreet (RF), Vinny Farley (1B) -- three juniors -- Carter Evans (DH), Billy Finch (SS), Justin Cole (CF) -- and just two seniors in Chaz Evans (LF) and Kasen Rainey (3B).
The Dragons started the season 6-1 heading into a four-game showdown with perennial powerhouse Gainesville, which has made three-straight state semifinal rounds, in a pair of home-and-home doubleheaders.
“We knew Gainesville was kind of in the same situation where they were replacing a lot of people but we also knew they had a lot of talent as well,” Knight said. “I felt like after the four games we would know a lot more about where we really were.”
The Red Elephants took three of four with three games being decided by one run and one going to nine innings. Despite the setback, Knight said he came away from the series feeling pretty good.
“That series helped us grow up some,” he said. “All four games were pretty close and what we learned, I think, is how to play in close games. We lost two of (the one-run games) but won one.
“I also saw a change in the confidence level of the guys after that. Most of them had not played a team like that at this level so for them to see that they could play with (Gainesville) was big.”
It obviously has paid some dividends. Eleven of the Dragons 20 games have been decided by three runs or less: they are 8-3 in those games, including Tuesday’s nail-biter. They are 2-2 in one run contests.
“Billy (Finch) is a good example. He played JV last year but has really stepped up and is starting at shortstop,” Knight said. “He’s our leading hitter and is playing excellent defense. Chaz and Carter are among our top hitters and Lane has moved from first to catcher but is doing a great job behind the plate. It was going to take some guys moving around and stepping up and so far they’ve done that.”
On the mound, however, may be where the most changes have taken place, with surprising success. Trefen has emerged this season along with Garner and junior Patrick Hickox, the first man out of the bullpen in 2016, has jumped into the starting rotation.
“We lost a lot on the mound from last year but those guys have done a nice job and really improved since last year,” Knight said. “We have a much different staff than last couple of years. We don’t have those two or three hard throwers and we don’t really have a No. 1 type of guy. But we have guys that throw strikes.”
In an update, the Dragons (14-6, 5-2 Region 8-AAAA) and Oconee County (14-5, 5-2) will resume their crucial three-game series on Friday in Jefferson with the winner taking the lead atop the region standings. Hickox will take the mound to start for the Dragons in Game 2. They will now conclude the series on Saturday with a 1 p.m. first pitch in Watkinsville, which was moved from Thursday.
Knight said they aren’t worried about region titles just yet. All six teams are separated by just three games in the standings. They opened region play with preseason region favorite North Oconee and took two-of-three, including a 7-6 win in the opener.
“This is probably the toughest region in the state (in Class AAAA) so every game and every series is huge,” he said. “There will be two really good teams not going to the playoffs. Our goal is just to try and win two of three in every series anyway we can. Another win over Oconee County would be huge for us.”
With the success of late, Knight said he’s starting to see possibilities down the road.
“Honestly, I didn’t really know what to expect with this group coming into the season. I’ve been a little surprised with our success just because of the tough schedule and tough region,” he said. “I was just hoping they had a shot at a playoff run. I wasn’t real sure at the beginning.
“But this is a fun team team to watch. They’re scrappy and don’t ever quit. It’s been a little nerve-wracking for sure, like Tuesday. But I’m really interested to see how we finish the season. I’m excited and looking forward to it.”
