DAHLONEGA, Ga. — Taylor Burton just wanted to make contact. Man, did she ever -- twice.
The senior Lumpkin County first baseman jacked a two-run home run in the first inning and then added a solo shot in the sixth to help the Lady Indians survive a 5-3 win over North Hall on Tuesday.
“I was just trying to get on base, to be honest,” Burton said afterwards. “I’m just excited for us to win, because we've always tried to beat North Hall, and that's one of our arch nemesis.”
It was more than just a win as Lumpkin County (9-2, 4-0 Region 6-3A) took over sole possession of first place in Region 6-3A with the victory. The Lady Trojans (6-2, 3-1 Region 6-3A) dropped into second place just one-half game ahead of Dawson County.
The two teams will play two more times during the regular season, so it was just the first of what should be a series of battles until the final day.
Lumpkin County coach Joseph Jones was pleased but not ready to get ecstatic just yet.
“That was definitely a great win,” Jones said. “But we’ve only played four region games. There’s still a long way to go. But it is good to get that first one (against North Hall).”
After Lumpkin County starter Riley Dyer got out of the first as North Hall stranded the first two of 10 baserunners on the night, the Lady Indians quickly went to work. Aubrey Woodson ripped an RBI double for a 1-0 lead, and then Burton followed with her big blast.
“We know (Taylor’s) capable of hitting the long ball, you know, but we don't want her to try and hit the long ball,” Jones said. "She's strong enough and has a powerful enough swing that if she just puts a barrel on it, it comes off the bat pretty good.
“But that first inning was huge. That's a big deal to strike first in a game like this.”
It stayed 3-0 until Mississippi State commit Genesis Satterfield cut the lead to 3-1 with an RBI single to center in the third for North Hall. But she was stranded at second. Lumpkin County extended its lead to 4-1 in the bottom of the third on another RBI hit from Woodson.
In the fifth, North Hall had a runner thrown out at third trying to advance, but managed to get two more runners in scoring position with two out. However, Dyer was able to work out of that jam.
And in the sixth, Riley ran into more trouble. Kyndall Lipscomb cut the lead to 4-3 with a two-run single for the Lady Trojans. They appeared to tie the game when a pitch with the bases loaded hit Marley Weaver. But after Jones disputed the call, it was overturned. Weaver later struck out with the bases loaded to end the inning. Dyer struck out 11 for the game.
Burton gave the Lady Indians a huge insurance run with her solo home run in the bottom of the sixth.
Hadleigh Crumley took the loss for North Hall, giving up five runs on seven hits, but struck out five in a complete game effort.
Jones said there won’t be much time to celebrate. They travel to White County on Thursday in another key 6-3A tilt.
“We are competing at a high level, and we are swinging the bat and getting some really, really big hits,” he said. “But again, there is a long way to go.”
SOFTBALL SCOREBOARD FOR TUESDAY, AUG. 26
Apalachee 5, Habersham Central 3*
Banks County 5, Providence Christian 2*
Cherokee Bluff 9, Jefferson 1
Chestatee 20, Meadowcreek 1
Dawson County 11, GAC 2*
East Forsyth 6, North Oconee 3*
East Hall 11, Oconee County 10*
Elbert County 11, Commerce 2*
Flowery Branch 9, Lanier 3
Franklin County 18, East Jackson 3*
Johns Creek 20, Gainesville 1*
Loganville 17, Jackson County 9*
Lumpkin County 5, North Hall 3*
Monroe Area 17, West Hall 0*
North Forsyth 9, 6, Lambert 8, 15* (DH)
Oglethorpe County 10, Rabun County 6*
Pickens 6, White County 0*
(* -- denotes region contest)
