Bower, Trojans dominate Chestatee

GAINESVILLE - North Hall junior Haley Bower was a one-girl wrecking crew Tuesday against Chestatee in the two teams' critical Region 7-AAA softball battle.

Bower tossed a dominating one-hitter and also provided the big blow for the Lady Trojans with a three-run, inside-the-park home run to cap a four-run first inning. The Trojans cruised from there beating the War Eagles 9-0.

"She was really sharp," North Hall coach Roger Fannon said. "She set the tone with that hit and then didn't let them back in the game. I'm proud of her effort and the whole team."

It was the first ever for North Hall (18-4, 6-0) over Chestatee, who is the defending Region 7-AAA champion.

The loss for Chestatee, coupled with Flowery Branch's win Tuesday over West Hall, dropped the War Eagles (11-6, 4-2) to fourth place in the region.

The game was critical to both teams. Pickens is still undefeated in region play and Flowery Branch has already beaten Chestatee this year.

North Hall plays host to Pickens next Thursday while the War Eagles finish the year on the road against Pickens.

"This was a huge win because now we kind of control who the No. 1 seed will be," Fannon said. "We still have a lot of games left but I feel pretty good with how we're playing right now."

Chestatee starter Sara Applegarth was hit hard early. The Trojans banged out four hits in the first inning and an error helped set up Bower's hit that went all the way to the wall. Three of the four runs were unearned.

Applegarth settled down after that but North Hall put the game away with three runs in the fifth inning off reliever Brooke Puckett for an 8-0 lead.

Chestatee's only hit came in the fifth inning when Mallory McCord singled just over the head of the shortstop. They only had two other baserunners the entire game.

Fannon called Bower's effort the best of the season. Chestatee came in as a team hitting .398 for the season.

"That was about as good as she could do. She really threw well. Now, hopefull she can do that next week against Pickens," he said.