DAHLONEGA, Ga. — Class 3A No. 10 Lumpkin County built a big early lead and then held on to beat White County, 8-6, in both teams’ Region 7-3A openers on Tuesday.
However, White County (4-5, 0-1 Region 7-3A) took the initial lead with a pair of runs in the second on a two-run double from Shelton Ramey. Lumpkin County (7-1, 1-0 Region 7-3A) tied it in the bottom of the inning on a passed ball and a sacrifice fly from Tyler Boggs.
The Indians took a 4-2 in the third when Dakota Bennett singled in a run and Boggs added another RBI on a bases loaded walk. They blew it open with a four-run fifth, getting RBIs on a hit-by-pitch, another walk, a sacrifice bunt, and an error, to lead 8-2.
But the Warriors began the rally in the sixth. Kyler Mayo, Nick Bray, and Alex Freeman all had RBI hits in a three-run inning. Landon Roberts knocked in a run in the seventh but White County left the bases loaded as Boggs was able to get out the jam to get the save.
Alejandro Narvaez earned the win for Lumpkin County going five innings, allowing two runs on six hits and striking out 12.
Ramey took the loss for White County, surrendering six runs on seven hits in four innings of work. He fanned two and walked one.
The Lumpkin County offense stole nine bases with four different players having at least two each.
DAWSON COUNTY 13,
WEST HALL 1 (5 inn)
Elijah Odom hit a home run and drove in five runs to lead the Tigers to the victory in five innings on Tuesday in both teams’ Region 7-3A openers.
The Tigers (5-4, 1-0 Region 7-3A) scored six runs in the first and six in the third to eventually roll to the run-rule victory.
West Hall (2-6, 0-1 Region 7-3A) scored its only run in the third on a wild pitch.
Jacson Rickett and Davis Glass each had two hits for Dawson County. Glass also drove in two runs for the Tigers.
Trey Harvey went the distance for Dawson County, allowing three hits and one run while striking out 13.
Brett Sturm started for West Hall and gave up 12 on eight hits in just 2 2/3 innings. He fanned three. Ozzie Lopez gave up one run on one hit and struck out two in 1 1/3 innings for the Spartans in relief.
Camden Page, Evan Connor, and Justin Shaffer each had one hit for West Hall.
The two teams will resume their three-game series on Thursday in Oakwood.
COMMERCE 16,
BARROW ARTS & SCIENCES 0
The Tigers opened their Region 8-A Division 1 schedule with a huge blowout win in three innings at home on Tuesday.
Commerce (4-5, 1-0 Region 8-A D1) scored all 16 runs in the bottom of the first inning.
The two teams will play a doubleheader on Friday in Winder.
CHEROKEE BLUFF 23,
CEDAR SHOALS 2 (3 inn)
The Class 4A No. 1-ranked Bears scored 10 runs in the first and 11 in the second en route to a massive rout in Region 8-4A crossover play.
Bryce England, Jacob Vokal, and Tanka Mukono all hit home runs. Vokal finished with three hits and four RBI, and England, Mukono, Ty Corbin and Garrett Harper all knocked in three runs each for Bluff.
Gabe Gowder went two innings and allowed one hit and struck out three. Landon Kemp went one inning, also striking three but gave up two unearned runs off two errors.
Bluff (9-0) will travel to No. 5 Walnut Grove on Wednesday.
CHEROKEE CHRISTIAN 6,
LANIER CHRISTIAN 5
Both teams played long ball, with LCA dropping a heartbreaker at home on Tuesday.
After Cherokee hit a two-run homer in the first, LCA answered with a three-run shot from Gavin Strabala in the bottom of the first. Cherokee tied it up in the third on another home run before Camden Hohman hit a solo blast to reclaim the lead, 4-3, for the Lightning.
But Cherokee smacked another two-run blast in the top of the seventh to pull ahead 6-4. In the bottom of the seventh, after Joshua Waymack singled and Tres Criste walked, pinch-runner Liam Howell scored on an error. Carter Raulerson reached on a dropped third strike, but Criste and Raulerson were left on base as the final out was made on a fly ball to right field.
LAKEVIEW ACADEMY 21,
HORIZON CHRISTIAN 3
Horizon Christian led 3-0 for two innings, then Lakeview opened the floodgates en route to the season-opening blowout win on the road Tuesday.
The Lions (1-0) scattered 21 straight runs over the next seven innings, including a nine-run seventh inning.
Henry Stewart led the Lions at the plate, going 4-for-5 with a Double and five RBIs. Logan Stanley went 3-for-4 with a triple, 3 RBI and 2 walks. Ricky Brown and Ethan Croft each had 3 hits. Asher Stephens was 2-for-2, scoring four runs and walking four times. 4 runs scored, 4 BB. Lions 1-0 play again Thursday, 4:00 @ Westminster Christian
Ricky Brown earned the win in relief, going six innings, allowing one hit, zero runs, one walk, and striking out 14 batters.
