COAL MOUNTAIN — Josh Zirlott drilled a two-run home run in the bottom of the seventh to lift North Forsyth to a thrilling 3-2 win over Class 7A fifth-ranked Denmark on Friday.
The Raiders (19-9, 9-7 Region 6-7A) scored three runs in the final two innings to erase a 2-0 deficit to the Danes (20-7, 12-3 Region 6-7A).
The win for the Raiders, their fifth straight, kept them in at least a tie for third place in the region. They will play host to Lambert on Monday in another huge region contest.
Denmark had taken a 2-0 lead in the third on a two-out, two-run double from Francesco Capocci. It stayed that way until North Forsyth scored a run in the sixth on an RBI double by Chandler DeBlois.
Kyle Roper earned the victory for North Forsyth striking out two in one inning of relief. Cason Engert started for the Raiders and went six innings allowing two runs on five hits while striking out eight.
Jacob Kruger started for Denmark and went 4 2/3 innings, allowing no runs while scattering six hits. Jake Freedman took the loss allowing Zirlott’s home run.
CHEROKEE BLUFF 6,
WHITE COUNTY 1
The Bears scored five runs across the first two innings en route to the win over White County at Bluff Field on Friday.
With the win, the Bears take the series, 2-1, against the Warriors and remain in second place in the Region 7-3A standings -- one game ahead of East Forsyth and Dawson County.
Meanwhile, the Warriors find themselves three games out of the final playoff spot but have a crucial three-game series against East Forsyth next week.
As for Friday, the Bears scored two runs in the first inning, one on a sacrifice fly from Caleb Poland and Caleb Miele (1-for-2, 4 RBIs).
In the second, Miele blasted a triple with bases loaded that brought home three runs to give the Bears a 5-0 advantage.
Kaden Thompson was 3-for-3 to lead the Bears, while Landon Kemp was 2-for-2 at the plate.
FLOWERY BRANCH 8, 13
MADISON COUNTY 3, 0
The Falcons completed the sweep of Madison County and strengthened their No. 2 spot on Friday.
Flowery Branch (17-8, 11-4 Region 8-4A) is now two games ahead of Madison County after the doubleheader win today with one series left against Chestatee next week.
As for Madison County, they'll face top-ranked North Oconee next week.
In Game 1, the Falcons had to rally back to beat the Red Raiders in Game 1, scoring three runs in the seventh inning -- two on an error and one on a Jake Beaver single.
Nick Linkowski and Jackson Freeman were 2-for-3 with one RBI each. and Jake Beaver.
Mason Compton surrendered three runs on six hits over seven innings, striking out nine and walking zero to get the win.
In Game 2, Jake Beaver was almost unhittable, going five innings allowing no runs on one hit and struck out 12 in the first game.
The game was tied threw the first three innings when the Falcons ignited for 13 straight runs, including six innings in the seventh inning.
Linkowski, Jake Kross, Chase Hammock, Freeman, and Jones Lawler each had RBIs in the big inning.
WOODWARD ACADEMY 3,
JEFFERSON 1
Not a lot of action in the non-region battle for either team on Friday.
Both Jefferson and Woodward only had one hit all day, but Woodward found a way to get two more runs home to win the game.
The Dragons left five runners on base.
Matthew Perrin had Jefferson's only hit on the day. Aiden Dumas scored the lone run on a wild pitch in the third inning.
