JEFFERSON — Jefferson fell 9-5 to Oconee County Saturday in the third game of the two teams' key Region 8-AAAA series.
The Dragons (14-8, 5-4 Region 8-AAAA) never led as Oconee County (16-5, 7-2) jumped out to a 4-0 advantage after the second inning off starter Lane Watkins. Jefferson cut the lead to 4-3 in the top of the third on RBI hits by Sammy Elegreet and Carter Evans sandwiched around a sacrifice fly by Billy Finch.
Oconee County answered with a run in the third and Jefferson pulled within 5-4 in the fourth. But the Warriors blew it open with three runs in bottom of the fourth and another in the fifth for a 9-4 lead. The Dragons scored one in the sixth but could get no closer.
Watkins lasted just two innings allowing four runs, only two earned, on just one hit but he walked four. Logan Garner went 2 1/3 innings allowing five runs on five hits for Jefferson.
Watkins, Carter Evans, and Elegreet all had two hits for Jefferson.
With the victory Oconee County moved two games ahead of the Dragons in the region standings.
Jefferson will open a huge three-game Region 8-AAAA series against St. Pius next on Monday at home.
