Thursday March 28th, 2024 5:09AM

Baseball: Vikings hold off Indians to clinch 2nd straight 7-AAA series

By Jeff Hart Sports Reporter

DAHLONEGA — Despite Trevor Rider having thrown just 20 pitches all season while recovering from injury, East Hall coach Eric Fowler did not hesitate to bring in the junior right-hander in one of the most crucial moments of the season so far for the Vikings.

East Hall was clinging to a slim one-run lead over Lumpkin County in the bottom of the seventh inning with the bases loaded and just one out. But Rider got Nick Turner to pop to short right field and then fanned Conner Pierce to end the game and preserve a 6-5, Region 7-AAA victory Wednesday on the road.

“We felt he was ready and able to get it done and he did a great job,” Fowler said of Rider.

For Rider, who was making his first region appearance of the season, there didn’t appear to be too much worry in spite of the situation.

“I just tried to focus on throwing strikes and not get nervous,” Rider said. “Getting that pop up was huge and I think that did settle me down a little. It just felt good to be able to help the team get a win.”

But Rider’s heroics would not have been possible if not for T.J. Smith, who pitched 3 2/3 innings in relief allowing just one run on six hits and striking out seven to get the win.

“T.J. has been pitching great for us all year,”Fowler said. “The biggest thing is knowing that we can win a close game like that.”

The win for East Hall (9-5, 4-1 Region 7-AAA) kept them in second place in 7-AAA and pushed its win streak to four. It also gave the Vikings a second straight series win to open region play -- they took 2-of-3 from Greater Atlanta Christian last week -- where series wins may well decide not only playoff positioning but who is in and who is out.

“Really it’s just another game and our goal is just the next one,” Fowler said. “But it’s always good to win a series and we’ll take it.”

However, it was Lumpkin County (8-7, 3-5) that got the hot start after dropping the series opener 4-1 to the Vikings on Tuesday.

Junior starter Matthew Grizzle was sharp early striking out two in the first around a walk to Trey Campbell.

The Lumpkin County offense also got going quickly as Pierce and Jacob Martin had RBI singles for a 2-0 lead just five batters in. The Indians loaded the bases with two outs but East Hall starter Levi Crocker struck out Logan Choflet to end the inning with no further damage. It wouldn’t last.

The Vikings answered right back with two runs in the top of the second. Taylor Smith knocked in Mike Matuska with an RBI single and later scored on a single by Matt Lacey.

East Hall kept it going in the third with a two-run triple from Trevor Rider and a RBI groundout from Tripp Rider for a 5-2 lead. But the Indians chipped away against Crocker.

Lumpkin County plated a pair of runs in the bottom of the third on a wild pitch and a steal of home by Dalton Stephens to pull within 5-4 and Fowler went to Smith. The Indians tied it in the fourth on a RBI single from Martin scoring Turner but Smith struck out two batters to get out of the jam.

All three East Hall pitchers beared down when it mattered as Lumpkin County left 13 runners on base, eight in scoring position and four at third base, for the game.

Meanwhile, Grizzle also settled down allowing just one hit and one run over the final four innings. He went the distance surrendering six runs on seven hits and striking out six for the Indians.

Trevor Rider also provided the eventual game-winning RBI as East Hall reclaimed the final lead in the fifth when Luke Cooper singled and later scored on a groundout by Rider.

The Indians had their chances late in the game. Pierce, who finished with three hits and an RBI, led off the sixth with a hit but was left stranded at third after Smith got a groundout, a strikeout, and a groundout to get out of the inning.

Lumpkin County loaded the bases in the seventh on an error, a Chase Beamon walk, and a Braylen Chastain single. But Rider was able to shut the door on any potential comeback.

“The guys did a great job battling back,” Fowler said. “Everyone has a role and right now everyone is doing what we’re asking. But we have another big game on Friday (against Lumpkin) so we just have to move on from this and get ready for that one.”

The two teams will finish their three-game series on Friday back in Rabbittown. First pitch is slated for 5:55 p.m.

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