FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Flowery Branch's bats couldn't come alive at a better time as they rolled past Jefferson, 14-4 and 11-7 in a crucial Region 8-4A battle at Hog Mountain Park.
The Falcons (11-8, 5-4 Region 8-4A) scored a combined 28 runs on 23 hits to take the series and climb in the region standings within one spot of second-place Jefferson.
As for the Dragons (14-9, 9-3 Region 8-4A), the losses make the series with No. 1 North Oconee later this month more important for playoff seeding.
In Game 1, Nick Linkowski set the tone for the Falcons with a 4-for-5 performance at the plate with a home run and four RBIs. Linkowski's homer in the first inning fueled a four-run inning and a 4-1 advantage over the Dragons.
Mason Compton also drove in a couple of runs in the inning on a double, and Jackson Freeman's sacrifice fly added another run.
After Jefferson scored one run in the top of the second, the Falcons answered on a Levin Jones single and a Linkowski single as well.
The Falcons scored five more runs in the third, with singles from Kade Smallwood (3-for-3, 2 RBIs)and Linkowski and on two errors to blow open the game, 10-2.
Flowery Branch scored two more in the fourth and one in the fifth and sixth innings.
Meanwhile, Jefferson added two runs in the fifth inning.
Compton picked up the win allowing four runs on five hits with seven strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings of work.
In Game 2, Jefferson jumped out to a three-run lead with Aiden Dumas and Owen Prime driving in runs.
But the Falcons answered with five runs in the second with Freeman, Connor Edwards doubled, Ethan Mieldezis, Linkowski and Riley Mitchell all pushing runs across the plate.
Mitchell earned the win on the mound, allowing four runs on six hits through five innings of work He also struck out six.
CHEROKEE BLUFF 8,
DAWSON COUNTY 6
The Bears (17-4, 10-2 Region 7-3A) scored had to rally from a 6-2 deficit to knock off the Tigers (13-8, 8-4 Region 7-3A) at home on Friday.
Trailing 5-2, the Bears scored three runs in the fifth inning and three in the sixth to grab the lead and held on to earn the win.
Caleb Miele drove in four runs on a 2-for-4 plate performance, while Lucas Tritt, Kade Thompson and Landon Kemp all added one RBI each.
Davis Glass drove in two runs for the Tigers, and Colton Rucker and Nick Mullinax each had one RBI.
The Bears begin a huge series with No. 2 North Hall on Monday. The series, most likely, will determine the region champion.
NORTH HALL 9,
EAST FORSYTH 5
The Trojans (17-4, 12-0 Region 7-3A) had to battle a little harder to complete the sweep of East Forsyth (12-10, 6-6 Region 7-3A) on Friday at Lynn Cottrell Field.
After falling behind 2-0 in the top of the first inning, the Trojans answered with five runs in the bottom of the inning.
Luke Erickson, Bradford Puryear and Hunter Brooks all singled in runs to give the Trojans a 5-2 lead.
But the Broncos loaded the bases in the second on a Zach Aschoff and Trey Farr single and a Will Moffit walk. Moffit scored on a walk and Aschoff crossed home when Logan Pedretti was hit by a pitch.
The Trojans, however, scored a run in the third and fifth and two runs in the sixth to hold on.
Baker Dyer surrendered one run on three hits over 4 2/3 innings, while striking out five to get the win for the Trojans.
Erickson drove in two runs on a 2-for-2 day. Hunter Brooks also had two RBIs, and Hudson Barrett had one.
WEST HALL 9,
LUMPKIN COUNTY 1
The Spartans completed a sweep of the Indians on Friday in Region 7-3A action.
Alex Holman went the distance scattering five hits, walking none, and striking out six to get the win.
Jayden Badger and Michael Gaddy each had two hits and two RBI to pace the offense. Ryan Svetz had two hits and Matthew Griffin and Nick Sturm had a hit and an RBI. Cody Davis drove in one run for the Spartans.
West Hall (8-10, 3-9 Region 7-3A) will take on White County in another three-game series in 7-3A starting on Monday in Oakwood.
