JEFFERSON — Jackson County held an early lead over No. 2 Loganville but could not hold it as the Red Devils exploded for seven runs in the second inning en route to a 13-3 win in five innings on Tuesday in Region 8-5A action.
The loss leaves Jackson County (15-8, 4-5 Region 8-5A) in fifth place, 2 1/2-games behind both Eastside and Walnut Grove. The Panthers will close out the regular against both Eastside and Walnut Grove after traveling to Loganville on Thursday.
The Panthers took a quick 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first one a RBI triple from Ayden Griswold. But Loganville (16-5, 8-1 Region 8-5A) scored six runs with two out in the top of the second to take the lead.
The Red Devils added two runs each in the third, fourth, and fifth innings, powered by home runs from Daniel Braswell and Will Cawthon. Jackson County scored single runs in the fourth and fifth but could not keep it going as the run rule was invoked.
Justin Ethridge, Bryson Evans, Griswold, and Nick Streuer each had one hit for the Panthers.
GREENBRIER 10-15,
JOHNSON 0-2
Class 5A No. 3 Greenbrier was too much for the Knights in sweeping a doubleheader in Region 8-5A play outside of Augusta.
Johnson never led in the first game but it was just 1-0 Greenbrier into the third. The Wolfpack exploded for three runs each in the third, fourth, and fifth while the Knights were no-hit in the five-inning game.
In the second game, Johnson led 2-0 after the top of the first when Joshua Lopez and Joey Lopez both were hit by pitches with the bases loaded.
Greenbrier scored three in the first and then cruised to another win in five innings.
Peyton Lavergne, Jarrett Atwill, and Payton Goss each had one hit for Johnson.
AREA BASEBALL SCORES FOR Tuesday, April 6
Banks County 9, Oconee County 6
Franklin County 4, Habersham Central 0
Greenbrier 10-15, Johnson 0-2*
Loganville 13, Jackson County 3*
Lake Oconee Academy 1, Towns County*
AREA BASEBALL SCHEDULE FOR Wednesday, April 7
Cherokee Bluff at North Hall*
East Hall at Flowery Branch, 1 p.m.*
Forsyth Central at Gainesville, 6:15 p.m.*
Franklin County at Commerce, 5:30 p.m.
Gilmer at Dawson County*
Habersham Central at Chestatee, 3 p.m.
Rabun County at East Jackson, 5:30 p.m.
White County at West Hall*
(* -- denotes region contest)
