A few teams began to separate themselves in region play after last week, which saw several big matchups across northeast Georgia.
And even more key matchups are on tap this week, weather permitting.
In Region 8-5A, Flowery Branch and Buford jumped to the top of the standings with perfect weeks, which included a huge win by the Falcons over defending Class 5A state champion Loganville. The Branch will travel to Loganville on Monday looking for the unexpected sweep.
In Region 7-AAA, North Hall will slip back into region play after a week off, leading Greater Atlanta Christian by 1 1/2 games and East Hall by two games. In Region 7-4A, West Hall completed the first two weeks unbeaten and leads both Marist and Blessed Trinity by 1 1/2 games. Marist and Blessed Trinity will open a three-game series on Tuesday in Roswell, giving the Spartans the opportunity to stay alone in first place barring a sweep by either team.
However, several regions have also seen things tighten up. In Region 8-AA Banks County and Rabun County have climbed within one-half game of first place Social Circle. The top four teams are all within one-half game of each other. The top three teams in Regon 8-4A -- Jefferson, Madison County and Stephens County -- all are within one game after the first week of action.
Region 8-6A started strong as all six teams finished the opening week within one game of each other. Habersham Central, Dacula, and Winder-Barrow each won 2 of 3 games in last week's series.
(Check below for the complete schedule of area baseball teams.)
BASEBALL SCHEDULE FOR WEEK OF March 26 — March 31
(First pitch times are 5:55 p.m. unless otherwise noted.)
(Games listed by time and in alphabetical order by visiting team.)
Monday, March 26
Providence Christian at Lakeview Academy, 4:30 p.m.*
Murphy (N.C.) at Rabun County, 5 p.m.
Tallulah Falls at Riveride Military, 5:15 p.m.*
Commerce at Prince Avenue, 5:30 p.m.*
Buford at Clarke Central*
Dawson County at Lumpkin County*
Flowery Branch at Loganville*
Forsyth Central at North Forsyth*
Habersham Central at Gainesville*
Johnson at Berkmar
North Hall at Union County*
Stephens County at Jefferson*
Tuesday, March 27
Rabun County at Rabun Gap, 5:30 p.m.
Banks County at Elbert County*
Chestatee at White County*
East Jackson at Hart County*
Fannin County at East Hall*
Jackson County at Franklin County*
Wednesday, March 28
Cedar Shoals at Buford*
Clarke Central at Johnson*
Flowery Branch at Walnut Grove*
Gainesville at Habersham Central*
Jefferson at Stephens County*
Lumpkin County at Dawson County*
North Forsyth at Forsyth Central*
Union County at North Hall*
Thursday, March 29
Lakeview Academy at Riverside Military, 5:15 p.m.*
Hebron Christian at Commerce*
Friday, March 30
East Hall at Fannin County (DH), 5 p.m.*
Franklin County at East Jackson (DH), 5 p.m.*
Jackson County at Monroe Area (DH), 5 p.m.*
Putnam County at Rabun County (DH), 5 p.m.*
Social Circle at Banks County (DH), 5 p.m.*
White County at Chestatee (DH), 5 p.m.*
Buford at Cedar Shoals*
Dawson County at Lumpkin County*
Forsyth Central at North Forsyth*
Habersham Central at Gainesville*
Johnson at Clarke Central*
North Hall at Union County*
Stephens County at Jefferson*
Walnut Grove at Flowery Branch*
* -- Region contest
