GAINESVILLE — North Hall opened defense of its Class 3A state title with a dominating 9-0 win in six innings over Hebron Christian on Tuesday at Lynn Cottrell Field.
The Class 3A No. 1-ranked Trojans (1-0) used an 8-run fifth inning to blow open a close game to that point.
It was a scoreless tie after three innings as North Hall’s Jaret Bales and Hebron’s Parker Marlatt were dealing. The pair of high-profile pitchers combined for 12 strikeouts and allowed just three hits.
The Trojans broke through in the fourth when Luke Erickson drove in Jace Bowen with a sacrifice fly for a 1-0 lead. When the Lions went to their bullpen, the North Hall offense pounced.
It took a trio of Lions relievers to get out of the fifth. North Hall sent 12 batters to the plate, aided by four walks and a hit batter. Hudson Barrett doubled to start the inning and scored on a RBI walk by Bales. Eli Reece singled in two runs and Andrew Hlavachek also had a 2-run single later in the inning. Barrett came around again to drive in a run and Tate Brooks had a 2-run single as well to cap the big inning.
Landon Lee pitched the final two innings allowing no hits or walks and fanning two.
North Hall next will play host to Class 4A No. 2 North Oconee on Wednesday.
