Baseball scoreboard: GAC knocks off Dawson Co.; Banks, White, Rabun, Towns win; Branch, WHall fall

LILBURN, Ga. — Greater Atlanta Christian took a big step in improving its position in the Region 6-3A standings with a 4-1 win over Dawson County on Tuesday.

The Spartans (10-6, 7-3 Region 6-3A) moved into a tie with the Tigers (12-7, 7-3 Region 6-3A) for second place in the region. North Hall regained sole possession of first place with a 6-4 win over Lumpkin County on Tuesday.

The Spartans, behind pitcher Trace Joiner (six Ks), held the Tigers to just three hits. Meanwhile, they scored four runs off seven hits, including a three-run fifth inning. 

The Spartans took the lead in the bottom of the second inning when Pierce Wilson's fielder's choice brought in a run. Stephen Phillips led the offense, going 2-for-3 with two RBIs. Jakobi Bowens also contributed two hits.

Dawson County’s Case Gravitt lost despite striking out six batters in four innings. He allowed four runs on seven hits and walked two.

Preston Bannister paced the Tigers with two hits in four at-bats, while Elijah Odom drove in Dawson County’s lone run. Defensively, the Tigers were sharp, committing no errors with Carson Sosebee leading the team with eight plays.

The two region foes will meet again on Thursday in Dawsonville. 

WHITE COUNTY 11, 
CHESTATEE 0

The Warriors (8-10, 3-7 Region 6-3A) exploded for seven runs in the third inning to roll past Chestatee (5-14, 4-6 Region 6-3A) on the road Tuesday. 

The offensive outburst began with Sawyer Gailey drawing a bases-loaded walk. Brayden Roach followed with an RBI single, and Cole Shelton delivered the big blow with a three-run triple. Cooper Garrett and Caleb Campbell added to the scoring with an RBI walk and a single.

White County scored two runs in the first inning on a Campbell single and a sacrifice fly from Trevor Butler.

Butler was also dominant on the mound, pitching five shutout innings while striking out nine and allowing six hits. 

Shelton led White County with three RBIs, while Campbell went 2-for-3 at the plate. 

Chestatee’s Ethan Dunn and Ryland Head each tallied two hits.

White County will face Chestatee again on Thursday at home.

OCONEE COUNTY 11,
WEST HALL 5

The Warriors (14-5, 5-2 Region 8-3A) outscored West Hall 7-0 in the final four innings to rally to the win at home on Tuesday. 

West Hall took an early 4-1 lead in the top of the third with RBI singles from Marcus Pugh, Ozzie Lopez, and Drew Svetz. However, Oconee County responded with a five-run third inning, highlighted by Cole Johnson's three-run homer to take a 6-4 advantage.

Andres Gonzalez led West Hall with three hits, while Johnson and Will Roberson powered Oconee County’s offense with key contributions.

West Hall (6-13, 2-5 Region 8-3A)will host Oconee County on Friday for a doubleheader.

RABUN COUNTY 11, 
BASA 1

The Wildcats cruised past Barrow Arts and Sciences Academy at home on Tuesday.

It was the Wildcats' (8-8, 1-7 Region 8-A Division) first region win of the season.

Barrow Arts struck first with an Owen Forsythe solo home run in the opening inning, but Rabun County responded in the bottom of the inning when Chase Alonso's RBI triple tied the game at one. In the third, Elvis Hunt's three-run double and Macade Huff's RBI single pushed Rabun County ahead, 5-1.

A five-run sixth inning, behind Alonso's two-run double and Noah English's three-run triple, sealed the win.

Alonso earned the win on the mound, allowing one run on two hits over four innings with eight strikeouts. Gabe Porter pitched two scoreless innings in relief.

The Wildcats will travel to Barrow Arts and Sciences Academy on Friday.

TOWNS COUNTY 7,
LINCOLN COUNTY 4

Oliver Sarafin recorded 10 strikeouts and allowed just two runs over six innings to lead the Indians past Lincoln County on the road Tuesday. 

The Indians jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first. Tripp Shirley singled to drive in a run. Shirley continued his big day, launching a solo home run to left field in the third inning to extend a 3-0 advantage. He finished the day 2-for-4 with two RBIs.

The Indians added another run in the second inning on a groundout by Eli McNabb, making it 2-0. 

Lincoln added two runs in the sixth and seventh innings, while Towns County pushed one more run home in the seventh. 

Lincoln County will travel to Hiawassee for a doubleheader on Friday.

EASTSIDE 8,
FLOWERY BRANCH 5

The Falcons' rally in the seventh inning fell short in the loss to Eastside on the road Tuesday. 

Branch (10-7, 5-2 Region 8-4A) scored four runs in the final frame to close the gap, 8-5. 

The Eagles (5-14, 1-6 Region 8-4A) grabbed a 4-1 lead in the third inning, scoring three runs on a walk by Kalen Stapp, another walk by Tripp Swords, and an RBI groundout by Eli Christian.

Levi Pickett earned the win, giving up five hits and five runs over six and two-thirds innings, striking out six and walking four.

Stapp led Eastside's offense with three RBIs, going 1-for-3. Jayden Bloodworth, Amond Sands, and Chase Jordan each had two hits.

Parker Bourrie led the Falcons with two hits. Javi Ojeda and Jackson Freeman each drove in two runs.

Eastside will travel to Flowery Branch on Friday.

BANKS COUNTY 17,
ATHENS ACADEMY 6

Gaven Sears drove in four runs on four hits, including a two-run homer, to lead the fifth-ranked Leopards to the blowout win over Athens Academy on Tuesday. 

In the fifth inning, Sears crushed a two-run homer and added RBI singles in the third and sixth.

Banks County (16-3, 10-0 Region 8-A Division 1) set the tone early with two first-inning runs from a Judd Schmakel single. Athens Academy answered with five runs in the bottom of the inning, but Banks County quickly regained the lead with a three-run third and cruised to the win.

Banks County will host Athens Academy on Friday.