All but one game on the schedule Wednesday involves key region matchups for Northeast Georgia-area teams.
Several teams have a chance to gain some separation atop the standings while others are fighting to stay in the playoff race at roughly the midway point of the region schedule.
In Region 8-4A North, No. 1-ranked Cherokee Bluff (18-0, 4-0 Region 8-4A North) can win its series against second place East Forsyth (12-7, 5-2 Region 8-4A North) at home and create a three-game lead in the standings. Meanwhile, Chestatee (10-10, 3-4 Region 8-4A North) is looking to stay in the race and even its series with North Hall (12-6, 2-2 Region 8-4A North) at the Lynn Cottrell Complex. Both the War Eagles, who are in fourth, and Trojans, who are in third place, need a series win with both still having Cherokee Bluff left on the schedule.
Region 8-5A is starting to see some separation. Defending Class 5A state champion No. 5 Loganville (13-7, 6-0 Region 8-5A) is starting to heat up and Winder-Barrow (12-7, 5-1 Region 8-5A) just completed a sweep of third-place Jefferson (13-6, 5-3 Region 8-5A) essentially giving the Bulldoggs a three-game lead over the Dragons. Meanwhile, Flowery Branch (11-9, 4-4 Region 8-5A) is clinging to fourth place, just one-half game ahead of Eastside (12-8, 3-4 Region 8-5A).
The Falcons have a chance to find some separation of their own taking on a winless Clarke Central (0-14, 0-6 Region 8-5A) squad in a two-game series while Eastside is taking on Winder-Barrow in a two-game series starting Wednesday.
In Region 8-6A, North Forsyth (14-6, 9-0 Region 8-6A) leads second place Lanier (14-5, 7-3 Region 8-6A) by 2 1/2 games. The Raiders, however, travel to a surging Jackson County squad (9-12, 6-3 Region 8-6A) that has climbed into third place, just one-half game behind Lanier. The Longhorns travel to Habersham Central (11-8, 5-4 Region 8-6A) which has lost three straight and now leads Gainesville (10-10, 4-6 Region 8-6A) by just 1 1/2 games for fourth place. The Red Elephants play host to Apalachee (7-12, 3-6 Region 8-6A) so plenty of movement could be in store after Wednesday.
Buford has begun to see its young team take form with a three-game win streak, all in Region 8-7A play. The Wolves (7-10, 5-4 Region 8-7A) go for the series win against Central Gwinnett (5-11, 0-7 Region 8-7A) and can move into third place with a win and a Mill Creek (9-10, 4-3 Region 8-7A) loss to Dacula (15-6, 7-2 Region 8-7A) on Wednesday. Buford also owns the tiebreaker over the Hawks after taking 2-of-3 in their series last week.
(Check below for 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 29
Apalachee at Gainesville*
Buford at Central Gwinnett*
East Forsyth at Cherokee Bluff*
Flowery Branch at Clarke Central*
Lanier at Habersham Central*
North Hall at Chestatee*
North Forsyth at Jackson County*
Towns County at Hiwassee Dam, 4 p.m.*
West Hall at Oglethorpe County
Wesleyan at White County*
(* -- denotes region contest)
