BUFORD, Ga. — Winder-Barrow came out firing to take Game 3 and the series, 13-3, over top-ranked Buford on Thursday at Gerald McQuaig Field.
The Bulldoggs (16-8, 12-3 Region 8-6A) outhit Buford 12-5, including a six-run seventh inning to blow out the Wolves.
The Wolves (21-5, 16-2 Region 8-6A), who clinched the Region 8-6A championship on Wednesday with a 9-3 win in Winder, struggled at the plate, scoring one run in the first and two in the fifth.
Ryan Ford (3-for-4, 4 RBIs) sparked the Bulldoggs' offense in the first inning with a three-run homer -- one of two on the day for Ford. He added another in the third inning.
Hodge's bat was hot as well, smashing two home runs as well, one in the third and one in the fifth. He also was 3-for-4 with four RBIs.
In the big six-run seventh inning, Winder-Barrow scored on singles by Ford and Evan Coleman, doubles by Caleb Gentry and Camden Hodge, and an error on a ball put in play by Michael Defrancisco
Layton Pruitt surrendered three runs on five hits over five innings, striking out four to earn the win on the hill for the Bulldoggs.
Winder-Barrow remains in second place, two games ahead of Lanier, with a three-game series next week against Shiloh to end the regular season.
NORTH HALL 11,
DAWSON COUNTY 0
A seven-run second inning led to the No. 1-ranked Trojans' blowout five-inning win over Dawson County on Thursday in Dawsonville.
The Trojans (23-4, 18-0 Region 7-3A) scored 11 runs on 12 hits while holding the Tigers (16-11, 11-7 Region 7-3A) to just one hit on the day.
Landon Lee shut down Dawson County, throwing a complete game shutout, recording seven strikeouts.
Tate Brooks set the offensive tone in the first inning with a solo home run to put the Trojans up 1-0 after one inning.
But it was the second inning where the Trojans broke Dawson County's back with a seven-run flurry. Hunter Brooks (1-for-2, 2 RBIs) added some fireworks with a two-run homer.
Jace Bowen (2-for-2, 2 RBIs) and Bradford Puryear (1-for-2, 2 RBIs) also drove in runs in the second inning.
AREA SCOREBOARD FOR Thursday, April 13
Clarke Central 12, Johnson 2*
King's Ridge 22, Lakeview Academy 4*
North Hall 11, Dawson County 0*
Winder-Barrow 13, Buford 3*
AREA SCHEDULE FOR FRIDAY, April 15
(All games begin at 5:55 p.m. unless otherwise noted)
Buford vs. Campbell at Truist Park (Atlanta), 7 p.m.
Cedar Shoals at Chestatee (DH), 5 p.m.*
Denmark at North Forsyth, 6:15 p.m.*
Elbert County at Banks County (DH), 5 p.m.
East Forsyth at West Hall*
East Hall at North Oconee (DH), 4:30 p.m.*
Flowery Branch at Madison County (DH), 4:30 p.m.*
Gainesville at South Forsyth, 6:15 p.m.*
Habersham Central at Shiloh*
Jackson County vs. Apalachee at Truist Park (Atlanta), 4 p.m.*
Jefferson at Woodward Academy
Lake Oconee at Commerce (DH), 5 p.m.*
Lumpkin County at Gilmer*
Riverside Military at Johnson, 5:45 p.m.
Union County at Rabun County (DH), 5 p.m.*
White County at Cherokee Bluff*
