The end of the Region 7-AAA baseball season may been one for the ages. And the region coaches say once is going to be more than enough.
Because of a slew of rainouts, every region team has four games left with GHSA rules stating that Saturday will be the final day of the regular season -- rain or shine (figure on rain with a 90 percent chance over most of north Georgia that day).
To make matters even more interesting, all seven teams are still alive for a playoff spot. The top three spots are already set, though not in any particular order yet, with Franklin County, East Hall, and Lumpkin County already clinching spots.
The final spot, however, is wide-open with West Hall, Dawson County, Fannin County, and Banks County all mathematically alive and separated by just two games in the standings. All four teams will play other over the final five days.
Pitching has taken a beating this season with most teams having to play on three consecutive days several times already this season. Now comes a four-game, five-day sprint to the finish.
“In 30 years of coaching I have never seen anything like this,” Dawson County coach Thad Burgess said. “The whole season has been a mess with the rain. This will be a tough week for all of us.
“None of the teams really have the pitching to handle this. I’m sure there will be a lot of JV guys getting a shot. It’s not ideal but what can you do.”
The Tigers (7-14, 5-9 Region 7-AAA) are tied with West Hall (7-12, 5-9) for the fourth spot with the two teams currently slated to close out the regular season on Saturday. Dawson County first will hit the road against Fannin County on Wednesday, Franklin County on Thursday, and Lumpkin County on Friday before playing West Hall in Dawsonville.
“Basically the truly key games for us are Fannin and West Hall but it will come down to pitching matchups and who has whom left to throw. It will be interesting,” Burgess said.
Dawson County has been competitive despite missing its top two starters. The Tigers lost two region games by one run and two others by three runs.
Fannin County (8-11, 4-10) has a slightly more favorable finish with home games Tuesday against West Hall and Wednesday against Dawson County, a road contest on Thursday at last place Banks County (6-14, 3-11), and then back home against region-leading Franklin County on Friday to close it out.
Coach David Dyer said their path is a simple one.
“We pretty much have to win the first three games to have any shot and then we need some help,” Dyer said. “But really I feel like we have the pitching to hold up. We just need to find some offense, which has been our problem all year.
“I guess it’s fun to have everyone still in it but with all the games and trying to find people to pitch its a tough situation. It should be a crazy finish.”
The Rebels have averaged just 4.1 runs per game, with only Banks County at 3.4 rpg scoring fewer on the season in the region. They have had a similar fate in the region as Dawson County losing two games by one run and two others by three runs.
West Hall coach Dustin Rennspies said all the scenarios won’t mean a thing for the Spartans, unless ...
“Basically we have to win (Tuesday). If we don’t, it really won’t matter after that,” Rennspies said. “That is the only thing we’re looking at right now. If we lose to Fannin then we’re behind Dawson County and if they beat us it’s over for us.
“It’s going to be tough for everyone (pitching-wise) but for us really it’s just about (Tuesday’s) game. We’ll figure the rest of it out if we beat Fannin.”
West Hall will travel to Fannin on Tuesday, then play host to Lumpkin County on Wednesday and Banks County on Friday before finishing on the road at Dawson County on Saturday. The Spartans have lost two games by one run and two others by two runs. It’s been the little things all year that have hindered their season.
“We have to stop making errors,” Rennspies said. “That’s been our biggest problem all season. And, we need to get some guys on base ahead of our big hitters. When we’ve done those things, we’ve been real good. When we haven’t, not so good.”
Banks County has the toughest road with games on four consecutive days, including against the top three teams in the region, and needing to practically win out and get some help. But the Leopards are still alive.
They play host to Franklin County on Tuesday, travel to at East Hall on Wednesday, play host to Fannin on Thursday, and close out on the road against West Hall on Friday.
REGION 7-AAA SCHEDULE FOR APRIL 21-25
Tuesday
Lumpkin County at East Hall
Franklin County at Banks County
West Hall art Fannin County
Wednesday
Banks County at East Hall
Lumpkin County at West Hall
Dawson County at Fannin County
Thursday
Fannin County at Banks County
Dawson County at Franklin County
Friday
Banks County at West Hall
Dawson County at Lumpkin County
Franklin County at Fannin County
Saturday
West Hall at Dawson County
