JEFFERSON — The fourth-ranked Jefferson baseball team rallied from a three-run deficit to beat No. 6 Flowery Branch, 9-6, in Game 3 on Friday at home.
The Falcons (14-6, 5-4 Region 8-4A) led 5-2 heading into the fifth inning when the Dragons (16-6, 10-2 Region 8-4A) exploded, scoring four runs to take a 6-5 lead. Cole Watkins, Mason Cooper, Nick Sellers and Jase Peoples scored in the inning. Peoples drove in one run, and Matthew Perrin had two RBIs in the inning.
Jefferson added three more runs in the bottom of the sixth. Flowery Branch scored one run in the top of the seventh. Kade Smallwood scored JB Bell on a single to centerfield.
JJ Rapp earned the win in relief, going four innings, allowing two runs on four hits, while striking out six. Cole Watkins got the start, pitching three innings, giving up four runs on five hits and five Ks.
Mason Cooper drove in four runs on a 1-for-2 performance at the plate for the Dragons. Kade Smallwood was 2-for-4 with two RBIs.
The win gives the Dragons a two-game lead on the Falcons in the Region 8-4A standings.
WEST HALL 12,
LUMPKIN CO. 0
Kyle Murphy tossed a no-hitter to lead the Spartans past Lumpkin County and the season sweep on Friday at home.
Murphy allowed zero hits and zero runs over five innings while striking out six. The Spartans scored five runs in the first, one in the third and six in the fourth to run-rule the Indians.
Tyler Maynard led the Spartans at the plate with a 2-for-3 performance and four RBIs. Michael Gaddy, Nick Sturm, Ryan Sevtz, Justin Shaffer and Jackson Cooper all drove in runs.
West Hall remains one game behind North Hall in the Region 7-3A standings.
CHEROKEE BLUFF 9,
DAWSON CO. 3
The Bears jumped on the Tigers in the first inning, scoring four runs to pace the six-run win on Friday in Dawsonville.
Cherokee Bluff scored four runs in the first, one in the third and two in the sixth and seventh innings to roll past the Tigers.
Dawson County scored one run in the second, fifth and seventh innings.
Ben Jenkins was 4-for-5 at the plate for the Bears, while Bryce England and Lucas Tritt drove in two runs each. Dylan Kautz and Reece Chambers had two RBIs apiece.
Braxton Beal picked up the win in relief, going 41/3 innings, allowing one hit and no earned runs while striking out four.
AREA SCOREBOARD, Friday, April 2
Cherokee Bluff 9, Dawson County 3*
Elbert County 13-15, Rabun County 0-5*
Jefferson 9, Flowery Branch 6*
West Hall 12, Lumpkin County 0*
Chestatee 10, Madison County 0*
Stephens County 6-12 at East Jackson 7-1*
West Forsyth 6, Gainesville 1*
White County 7, Gilmer 1*
Winder-Barrow 7, Habersham Central 0*
