GAINESVILLE — North Hall baseball clinched its first region title since 2013 in dramatic fashion on Tuesday.
The Trojans (19-5, 14-2 Region 7-3A) scored the winning run in the bottom of the seventh to edge out Dawson County 7-6 in Gainesville.
The Tigers pulled ahead 6-4 in the top of the sixth, but North Hall knotted the game in the bottom half of the frame before clinching the crown.
Mark Swett earned the win in relief, pitching 1 2/3 hitless innings, while striking out 3 batters. Reese Olson started and yielded 7 hits and 6 runs (3 earned) in 5 1/3 innings while striking out 7 batters.
Caleb Clark helped lead North Hall at the plate, going 3-for-4 with 2 doubles and 2 RBI, while Caden Bales also had 2 doubles and 2 RBI with a run scored. Jackson Dyer also went 3-for-4 with a run scored, while Caleb Wiley doubled and drove in 2 runs.
North Hall travels to Dawson County on Wednesday.
EAST HALL 8,
UNION COUNTY 7
The Vikings took another step toward the postseason on Tuesday with the win in Blairsville. If they can defeat the Panthers on Wednesday at home, they will seal a state playoff spot.
Mike Matuska went 3-for-4 at the plate with 4 RBI to help lead East Hall at the plate, while Levi Crocker went 3-for-3 with an RBI and 2 runs scored. Trey Campbell also finished 2-for-4 with 2 runs scored and pitched 3 innings in relief, yielding 4 hits and striking out 4 batters.
Union County put runners at second and third bases with one out, only for Campbell to strike out the next two hitters to preserve the win.
The Vikings play host to Union on Wednesday.
MADISON COUNTY 3,
JEFFERSON 0
Ryan Godfrey had a double, while Justin Cole and Billy Finch each had singles in the Dragons' loss on Tuesday in Jefferson.
Patrick Hickox pitched a complete game in yielding the loss for the Dragons (17-8, 10-3 Region 8-4A).
Jefferson plays again on Wednesday at Madison County.
