GAINESVILLE — North Hall’s Jaret Bales took a no-hitter into the fifth before allowing just one hit in a 12-0, five-inning win over East Forsyth on Monday at Cottrell Field.
Bales went the distance, walking three and striking out five to lead the Trojans (15-4, 10-0 Region 7-3A) to their 10th straight win and stay atop the region standings.
It was the second straight loss for East Forsyth (12-8, 6-4 Region 7-3A) who remained in fourth place. Logan Pedretti had the lone hit for the Broncos.
Bales also had a huge day at the plate with three hits, including a grand slam homer as part of a six-run first inning, and 6 RBI for the game. Bradford Puryear had two hits and 5 RBI, including a three-run single in the fourth to push the lead to 12-0.
Hunter Brooks also homered in the third for North Hall.
Wyatt Barden took the loss for East Forsyth lasting just 2 2/3 innings, allowing seven hits and eight runs while striking out two.
The North Hall offense pounded out 10 hits in the game. Ajay Jones also had three hits and Luke Erickson one hit for the Trojans.
The two teams will head to East Forsyth for the second game of their three-game series on Wednesday.
DAWSON COUNTY 12,
CHEROKEE BLUFF 9
Julian Horner drove in 8 runs on two Grand Slams to lead Dawson County to a 12-9 win over Class 3A No. 6 Cherokee Bluff on Monday in the opening game of a crucial Region 7-3A series.
The win for the Tigers (13-6, 8-2 Region 7-3A) moved them into a tie for second place with the Bears (15-4, 8-2 Region 7-3A) and snapped their seven-game win streak at the same time.
The two teams will resume their series on Wednesday in Dawsonville.
The Dawson County offense had eight hits and took advantage of seven Bluff walks and three big errors.
Braxton Beal took the loss for Cherokee Bluff, lasting just two-thirds of an inning, allowing four runs on two hits. Chandler Shope went 3 1/3 innings allowing five runs, none earned, however, as Horner’s two big blasts helped give the Tigers a 9-3 lead in the second inning.
Meanwhile, Trey Harvey earned the win for Dawson County going six innings, allowing seven hits and six runs while striking out two.
But the Bears did not go quietly in the seventh. It took three pitchers to close out the game as Bluff plated four runs and had the tying run at the plate with one out. Joshua Priest, however, got the save getting a sacrifice fly and a strikeout to end the game.
Nick Mullinax had a pair of hits and Luke Mulberry and Elijah Odom had a hit and an RBI each for Dawson County.
Jacob Vokal had a hit and two RBI while Caleb Miele and Ty Corbin each had two hits and an RBI for Bluff. Lucas Tritt and Kaden Thompson both had a hit and an RBI for the Bears.
WEST HALL 9,
LUMPKIN COUNTY 1
The Spartans snapped a 9-game losing streak and got their first Region 7-3A victory of the season on the road Monday night.
Alex Holman tossed a complete-game, five-hitter while striking out six and walking none.
Michael Gaddy and Jayden Badger each had two hits and two RBI to lead the West Hall (6-10, 1-9 Region 7-3A) offense. Matthew Griffin and Nick Sturm added a hit and an RBI each, Ryan Svetz had two hits, and Cody Davis drove in one run for the Spartans.
The two teams will resume their three-game series on Wednesday in Oakwood.
DENMARK 11,
GAINESVILLE 4
The Red Elephants dropped their fourth straight Region 6-7A game to the No. 6-ranked Danes and fell three games behind fourth place West Forsyth in the standings with the loss.
Denmark (14-6, 6-2 Region 6-7A) scored four runs in the first and four more in the third off Gainesville starter Riley Valentine, who allowed eight runs on eight hits but struck out seven in three innings.
Gainesville (8-10, 1-7 Region 6-7A) plated three runs in the bottom of the third on a pair of Denmark errors and a RBI groundout by Alex Kelley to trim the lead. Both teams scored a run in the fourth and the Danes scored once each in the sixth and seventh innings.
Dylan Trova got the win for Denmark scattering six hits over 6 1/3 innings.
Cody Brewer and Daniel Machado each had two hits for Gainesville. Landon Deyton and Tanner Allen had one hit apiece for the Red Elephants.
Gainesville next will play host to West Forsyth (11-9, 4-4 Region 6-7A) on Wednesday at Ivey-Watson looking to stay in the playoff race.
