JEFFERSON, Ga. — Jefferson handed Class 4A second-ranked North Hall its first loss of the season on Monday, 10-9, when Owen Primm drew a bases-loaded walk in the bottom of the seventh.
That capped a huge rally for the Dragons (5-3) against the North Hall bullpen. Jefferson scored nine runs over the final three innings after the Trojans (7-1) had built a 5-1 lead in the fifth.
North Hall jumped on Jefferson starter Eston Simpson for four runs in the first on a two-out grand slam by Korbyn Sosebee. But Simpson would eventually settle down to go five innings, giving up five runs on four hits and striking out six.
The Dragons got three runs in the fifth, but North Hall answered with three in the sixth to push the lead to 8-4. But Jefferson again plated three in the sixth on a Jase People's three-run blast, and the Trojans answered with a run in the seventh to take a 9-7 lead into the final inning.
In the seventh, Aiden Dumas doubled in a run, and Aiden Mixon tied the game with an RBI single. Roger Hulsey and Jase Peoples followed with singles to load the bases, setting up the game-winning walk.
The Trojans used a bullpen game with Mills Lothridge starting and going one inning. Kaleb Sexton went one inning allowing one run, Micah Jimerson went two innings allowing two runs, Campbell Payton gave up an unearned run in an inning, and Luke Sanders went the final 1 1/3 allowing six runs, only three earned, on six hits to take the loss.
Dumas got the win for Jefferson in relief, giving up one hit and an unearned run over the final 1 1/3 innings.
Andrew Hlavacek had two of North Hall’s seven hits.
Peoples had four hits, including his home run, to lead an 8-hit Jefferson attack.
CHEROKEE BLUFF 12,
WHITE COUNTY 3
The Class 4A third-ranked Bears stayed unbeaten on the season with a road win in Cleveland on Monday.
Ethan England tripled in three runs as part of a 4-run second for a lead Cherokee Bluff (6-0) would not relinquish.
The Warriors (3-3) pulled within 4-3 in the fourth on a two-run double from Mason Gee and an RBI groundout by Luke Dockery. But that would be all the White County offense could muster against Bears’ hurlers Gabe Gowder, Jack Sparks, and Ben Crumpton, who surrendered just four hits while striking out 12.
Cherokee Bluff scored three times in the fifth, highlighted by a two-run home run from Bryce England, and added five runs in the sixth inning.
Shelton Ramey took the loss for White County, going 4 2/3 innings, giving up seven runs on five hits and three walks, and he fanned five.
It was the final non-region tune-up for Cherokee Bluff, which opens its Region 8-4A schedule at home on Wednesday against No. 1-ranked and defending state champion North Oconee.
GAINESVILLE 8,
WEST HALL 4
The Red Elephants exploded for seven runs in the bottom of the first and then held on for the win at Ivey-Watson Field on Monday.
Dawson Vaughn highlighted the big inning with a two-run double, and Anthony Lugo added an RBI single. Jeremy Medina added an RBI groundout, and Gainesville (5-4) also scored runs on a West Hall balk and a passed ball.
The Spartans (0-5) answered with four runs in the top of the second as Drew Svetz, Cooper Tapp, and Justin Shaffer all drove in runs in the inning. Gainesville scored a run in the fourth.
Medina started for Gainesville, allowing four runs on two hits in 1 1/2 innings. Silas Ingram went four innings scattering three runs and fanning four while allowing no runs for the Red Elephants to get the win.
West Hall’s Brett Sturm started and was hit hard, surrendering seven runs on three hits in just two-thirds of an inning. Brandon Roberts came on in relief, gave up just one unearned run on two hits, and struck out four. Marcus Pugh pitched the final inning, giving up just one hit for the Spartans.
Shaffer paced the West Hall offense with two hits and two RBI.
Riley Valentine led Gainesville with three hits. Lugo and Cooper Reid also had one hit each for the Red Elephants.
