FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Cherokee Bluff scored six runs in the final two innings to rally for a huge 7-6 win over Walnut Grove in Region 8-4A action on Thursday at home.
The big blow came in the bottom of the seventh when Jaycee Archer blasted a grand slam with one out for the walk-off victory.
With the win, the Lady Bears (14-10-1, 10-5 Region 8-4A) moved into sole possession of third place in the region.
The Lady Warriors (13-12, 9-6 Region 8-4A) broke a 1-1 tie with five runs in the fifth to seemingly take control. But Bluff fought back.
The Lady Bears scored twice in the sixth on a two-run home run from Kate Herren to set up the dramatic finish.
Archer also got the win in relief allowing just one hit and one walk over the final 1 2/3 innings.
NORTH OCONEE 7,
EAST FORSYTH 5
East Forsyth dropped into a tie for first in Region 8-4A with a loss to North Oconee on Thursday.
It didn;t without a furious rally by the Lady Broncos. North Oconee (20-6, 13-2 Region 8-4A) jumped out to a 5-0 lead after playing four runs in the third. East Forsyth (16-6, 13-2 Region 8-4A) pulled within 4-2 in the fifth on an RBI triple from Cadence Alberty and a RBI single from Reagan Bennett.
The Lady Titans scored two huge runs in the sixth to lead 7-2 before Alberty smashed a three-run homer to left in the seventh. The Lady Broncos got the go-ahead run to the plate with no one out in the seventh but could not get another run in.
Alberty finished with four RBI but also took the loss despite giving up just four earned runs on six hits.
NORTH HALL 11,
SECKINGER 0 (5 inn)
The Lady Trojans scored in every inning for a huge win in 8-4A play.
The victory moved North Hall (15-7, 9-6 Region 8-4A) into a three-way tie for fourth place with Seckinger (15-8, 9-6 Region 8-4A) and Walnut Grove on Thursday.
For North Hall, Genesis Satterfield, Mac Taylor, Olivia Mullins, and Mia Swords all drove in two runs.
The Lady Trojans scored one in the first, two in the second, three in the third, and sealed it with four runs in the fifth.
Mullins got the win allowing just one hit and fanning 11 in five innings.
EASTSIDE 13,
JEFFERSON 12
The Lady Dragons fell 1 1/2 games behind Eastside in the Region 8-5A with a tough loss at home on Thursday.
Jefferson (14-5, 10-3 Region 8-4A) led 3-2 after the second inning following a two-run home run from Jenna Rapp. But the Lady Dragons would not lead again.
Eastside (16-4, 12-2 Region 8-4A) scored three times in the third, twice in the fourth, four times in the fifth, and two more in the sixth. Jefferson scored three times each in the fourth, fifth, and sixth to trail by a run.
Reagan Hays singled to lead off the seventh and got in scoring position on a passed ball with two outs. But the Lady Dragons could not get the tying run.
Rapp finished with two hits and three RBI for Jefferson. Madison Hanchey, Gillian Price, Ally Baldwin, and Hays all had two of Jefferson’s 13 hits for the game.
All three Jefferson pitchers -- Addison Self, Alivia Gober, and Victoria Phagan -- struggled, surrendering 14 hits and five walks combined.
FLOWERY BRANCH 11,
HERITAGE-CONYERS 0 (5 inn)
The Lady Falcons scored four runs in the third and six in the fifth to take a big win in Region 8-5A.
The win moved Flowery Branch (7-15, 5-9 Region 8-4A) within 2 1/2 games of fourth place in the region.