Baseball: Dragons set up 8-5A title showdown; NoFo explodes for 11 runs to beat GHS

JEFFERSON, Ga. — Jefferson set up a showdown for the Region 8-5A title with a 3-2 win over Eastside on Wednesday at home.

The Dragons (14-11, 9-1 Region 8-5A) scored two runs on an error and an RBI single from Ryan Reed in the fourth to erase a 2-1 deficit. From there, Zach Grow shut down the Eagles (12-13, 6-6 Region 8-5A).

Grow went the distance, allowing just two runs on three hits while striking out eight. He worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the fifth and then allowed just one baserunner the rest of the way.

Jefferson had just three hits, but Rett Hemphill had two hits and scored one run for the Dragons.

Jefferson will take on Loganville (15-11, 10-0 Region 8-5A) on Friday in the first of a home-and-home series with a chance to climb into a first-place tie. The Dragons can clinch the region title with a sweep.

However, one Red Devils win would give Loganville the region title.

NORTH FORSYTH 12,
GAINESVILLE 0

The Raiders (17-9, 10-3 Region 8-6A) scored 11 runs in the fourth inning to blow open the game and stun Gainesville (10-11, 7-7 Region 8-6A) in the win at Ivey Watson on Wednesday. 

The game was knotted at 0-0 when the Raiders exploded in the top of the fourth inning thanks to home runs from Seth Dixon, Bryson Germanenko and Ellis Alldredge. 

Dixon was huge in the inning with an RBI single and a two-run home run. Bryson Germanenko smashed a three-run home run to left field. Alldredge blasted a two-run shot, Jace Cahill doubled in two runs, and the Raiders added two runs on a Big Red error -- all in the fourth inning. 

NoFo added one more run in the fifth inning. 

Brayden Seabold earned the win for the Raiders, giving up three hits over five innings while striking out four. 

With the win, the Raiders remain in second place in the standings -- one game behind Apalachee -- with four huge games remaining. Gainesville holds on to the fourth and final playoff spot right now with two games remaining.