GAINESVILLE – It wasn’t a pretty win, but Cherokee Bluff will take it.
The Bears (9-7, 5-4) took advantage of four North Hall errors in the sixth inning to explode for seven runs and hold on for the Region 7-3A win, 9-8, Friday night at Jody Davis Field.
The win denied North Hall (8-8, 7-2) the season sweep. The Trojans won the first two games, 10-0, 11-0, earlier this week.
James Mitchell earned the win in relief for the Bears. He allowed two runs on three hits and struck out nine in four innings of work. Carsen Plumadore started the game, giving up four hits and four strikeouts in three innings.
Jackson Kemp was 2-for-3 with one RBI. Parker Shope was 2-for-5 with an RBI and Dylan Kautz was 2-for-4 at the plate.
Caleb Piland, Brody Beal, Chandler Shope all added hits on the night.
North Hall jumped out to a 4-2 lead after three innings, then added a run in the fourth to go up 5-2.
After falling behind 9-5 in the sixth, the Trojans hammered out two runs in the bottom of the inning and one in the seventh to close the gap.
Caleb Wiley was 2-for-3 with two RBI to lead the Trojans at the plate. Caleb Clark was 2-for-4 with one RBI.
Tyler Brooks and Dylan Wiley each had an RBI.
The Trojans will travel to East Hall on Monday for the first of three games against the Vikings next week. Game time is 5:55 p.m.
Cherokee Bluff will host Rabun County in a doubleheader. Game time is 5 p.m.
LANIER 14,
GAINESVILLE 4
Gainesville struggled to find the plate Friday afternoon in a loss to Lanier on the road.
The Red Elephants scored four runs in the first inning to take an early 4-0 lead. Lanier answered with three runs in the bottom of the first to close the gap, 4-3.
The Longhorns, however, would score 11 straight runs to blow open the contest and force the 10-run mercy rule in the fifth inning.
Cale Conley, Seth White and Ben Still all drove in runs for the Red Elephants. Corbin Lindsay, Dalton Kyle, Harris Bell and White each scored runs in the loss.
Gainesville (6-10) will host Habersham Central Monday. First pitch is 5:55 p.m.
BUFORD 7,
MILLER GROVE 2
The Wolves slowly built their lead through five innings to knock off Miller Grove Friday at home.
Buford scored one run in the first, third and fourth to take a 3-1 lead.
In the fifth, the Wolves hammered out four runs, giving them a 7-1 advantage. Miller Grove added a run in the top of the seventh.
Austin Turner was perfect at the plate, going 4-for-4 with two RBI and three runs scored. Evan Place was 2-for-4 with two RBI. Pat Walker, Christian Griffin and Brandon Joliff each drove in a run.
Dylan Lesko snagged the win, giving up one run on three hits and recorded eight Ks in four innings.
Buford (10-4, 1-0) will play Hoover, Ala. at Parkview Saturday. Game time is 11 a.m,
MARIST 3,
CHESTATEE 2
Marist scored the game-winning run in the bottom of the seventh to beat Chestatee Friday.
Chestatee tied the game in the second inning when W Cantrell scored off an error, 1-1.
After Marist took back the lead in the bottom of the second inning, the two region foes traded outs until the War Eagles tied the game in the fifth inning. Benson Miller’s double to left field scored Clay Tyas to tie the game at 2-2.
Tyas, Miller and Phillip Lemay all had hits for the War Eagles.
Chestatee (8-5, 1-2) will host Marist on Monday. Game time is 5:55 p.m.
BLESSED TRINITY 4,
WHITE COUNTY 0
Blessed Trinity scored four runs over three innings to shutout White County Friday at home.
Jared Johnson, J. Ben Haynes, Sawyer Loggins, Evan Chambers and Jake Johnson all had a hit for the Warriors.
White County (8-7, 3-2) will host Blessed Trinity Monday. Game time is 5:55 p.m.
HABERSHAM CENTRAL 7,
APALACHEE 1
The Raiders scored five runs in the third to lead them past Apalachee Friday on the road.
Payton Irvin earned the victory on the mound. He allowed one run off five hits while striking out 11.
Colby Jones was 3-for-4 with two RBI and scored two runs for the Raiders.
Irvin, Hogan Pitts and Sutton Dover each drove in a run.
The Raiders (14-4, 2-1) will travel to Gainesville Monday. First pitch is 5:55 p.m.
