In what may the best region-opening day in the state, Region 8-4A will get their march to the playoffs under way on Wednesday.
It won't just be with a bang, either. It'll be more like a volcanic eruption.
The region houses four of the top 10 teams in the early polls in Class 4A. And all four will play one another to get things kick started.
No. 3 Cherokee Bluff will play host to No. 1 North Oconee. The Bears (7-0) feature a loaded lineup and a stacked pitching staff. But the Titans (5-0) are the defending region and state champions and return a dozen players from last year's squad.
The other massive showdown will be at Lynn Cottrell Field where No. 2 North Hall will entertain No. 9 Walnut Grove. The Trojans (7-1) suffered their first loss of the season on Monday to Jefferson while the Warriors (6-1) have won straight since their only loss to 2022 Class 6A state runner-up Allatoona. Walnut Grove beat Jefferson earlier in the season.
Also in Region 8-4A, Chestatee will play host to Madison County at the Lynn Cottrell Complex in a crucial matchup right out of the gate for a pair of teams that are hoping to make a playoff run in a brutal region.
In a always good rivalry showdown, North Forsyth will play host to Forsyth Central in Coal Mountain. Jefferson will travel to Commerce in a Jackson County rivalry matchup.
(Check below for all the full schedule of baseball games on Wednesday involving area teams.)
HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL SCHEDULE
(All games start at 5:55 p.m. unless otherwise noted)
Wednesday, March 1
Cedar Shoals at East Hall*
Dawson County at Union County
Forsyth Central at North Forsyth
Gainesville at Duluth, 5:30 p.m.
Jefferson at Commerce
North Oconee at Cherokee Bluff*
Seckinger at East Forsyth*
Towns County at Peach County, 6:30 p.m.
Walnut Grove at North Hall*
West Hall at Banks County
(* -- denotes region contest)
