BLUE RIDGE – Cherokee Bluff added two insurance runs in the top of the seventh and held on in the bottom to knock off Fannin County, 9-6, Tuesday afternoon on the road.
The win lifts North Hall into sole possession of first place in Region 7-3A and leaves the Bears (12-8, 6-4) one game behind Fannin (14-5, 7-3) for second right now.
Parker Shope earned the win on the mound for the Bears. He pitched two and one-third innings, allowing three hits and four runs while striking out four. Carsen Plumadore and James Mitchell helped to close out the game in relief.
Dylan Kautz put the Bears on the board in the top of the first inning when he stole home giving Bluff a 1-0 lead.
In the second inning, the Bears added three more runs off a triple from Tino Mukuno and a passed ball.
Fannin answered over the next two innings, scoring three runs to close the gap 5-4.
Both teams traded runs in the fifth inning scoring two each.
Bluff only up one run heading into the seventh inning found some insurance from the bat of Kautz. He doubled to left field to score Caleb Piland then Caleb Hatcher scored on the throw home pushing the lead to 9-6.
Mitchell and the Bear defense only faced four batters in the bottom of the seventh to seal the win.
Kautz ended the day 1-for-2 with two RBIs. Mukuno and Piland had two hits each. Jackson Kemp, Shope, Tyler Zawacki, and Mitchell added one hit apiece.
The two region foes will be back in action for a doubleheader Friday at Cherokee Bluff. The first game begins at 5 p.m.
JEFFERSON 10,
EAST JACKSON 0
Lane Watkins tossed a shutout two-hitter to lead Jefferson past East Jackson in five innings Tuesday afternoon at home.
Watkins went the distance, allowing two hits while striking out four. Watkins also was 2-for-3 with 2 RBIs at the plate.
The Dragons (17-0, 10-0) scored eight runs in the bottom of the fifth to enforce the run-rule.
Sammy Elegreet and Brycen Jewell drove in two runs each.
Jefferson will travel to East Jackson Thursday for a doubleheader. Game time is set for 5 p.m.
