Baseball scoreboard: Dawson Co. splits with White Co.; Buford wins; Jefferson, Lumpkin Co., EJax all lose

As area teams rush to finish the regular season this week, a few are still trying to improve their positions in their respective region standings. 

On Thursday, Dawson County's hopes of a first-round home playoff are now in jeopardy. The Tigers (16-10, 10-8 Region 7-3A) took Game 1 of the doubleheader, 11-1, but dropped Game 2, 5-3, to White County in Cleveland. The Tigers are now one-half game behind Wesleyan in third place.

Wesleyan knocked off Lumpkin County, 10-2, at home on Thursday. The Wolves have one game remaining with the Indians on Friday. If the Wolves (14-12, 10-7 Region 7-3A) beat Lumpkin County in Dahlonega, they'll secure the No. 2 seed. Lumpkin County, however, was officially eliminated from playoff contention. They'll play the rubber match on Friday in Dahlonega. Wesleyan will be the No. 3 seed in the playoffs. 

Gilmer's sweep of West Hall -- 11-1, 9-7 -- secures the Bobcats the fourth spot in the Region 7-3A standings. 

Meanwhile, in Region 8-2A, East Jackson (14-12, 8-6 Region 8-2A) blew two leads to fall to Providence Christian, 7-6, on the road Thursday in Game 1 of the doubleheader. The Eagles led 4-0 in the fourth inning but gave up five unanswered runs in the fourth and fifth innings to fall behind 5-4. However, the Eagles rallied to the lead in the top of the seventh, 6-5, but gave up two runs in the bottom of the seventh to fall. The loss leaves the Eagles in third place. East Jackson currently trails Providence Christian in Game 2, 8-3. 

In other action, Buford (19-8, 13-1 Region 8-7A) avenged the nine-inning 7-6 loss to Dacula on Wednesday with a 7-1 victory over the Falcons at home on Thursday. The Wolves will finish the regular season at Collins Hill on Friday. Jefferson (15-13) fell at home to Oconee County 9-0 to close out the regular season.