FLOWERY BRANCH — Lakeview Academy opened its season in solid fashion sweeping a doubleheader against previously unbeaten Cherokee Bluff on Monday.
The Lions took Game 1, 6-5 in eight innings, and followed with a 4-2 victory in the nightcap. Both games came down to the final batter.
In Game 1, the Lions (2-0) scored a pair of runs in the first to grab the lead but the Bears (3-2) answered with a run in first and another in the third to tie game. It stayed that way until the seventh when Lakeview plated three runs to seemingly take conrol. But Cherokee Bluff answered with three runs of its own in the bottom of the inning to send it to extra innings.
In the eighth, Parker Allen, who had three hits on the day, drove in the eventual game-winning run with a single. Sam Stewart, who had three hits and 3 RBI at the plate, pitched a perfect inning, including two strikeouts, to get the save for the Lions.
Campbell Melson got the win pitching three innings allowing three runs. Andrew Estes started and pitched four innings, allowing three hits and no earned runs while fanning seven. Estes also had two hits and scored twice for Lakeview.
In Game 2, Lakeview had to rally from behind to complete the sweep. The Lions took a 1-0 lead in the first but the Bears answered with a pair of runs in the third. Lakeview reclaimed the lead 3-2 in the sixth and added an insurance run in the seventh.
Skyler Thellman had two doubles and two RBI to lead an 8-hit Lakeview attack. Estes had two more hits, an RBI, and stole a base for the Lions.
Ian Echols earned the win for Lakeview going five innings allowing two unearned runs and no hits and struck out three. Parker Allen got the save for the Lions
Lakeview next will play host to West Hall on Saturday in a doubleheader. First pitch for Game 1 is set for 11 a.m.
Cherokee Bluff will travel to White County on Saturday in a doubleherader against the Warriors and then Murray County.
WEST HALL 5,
EAST HALL 2
The Spartans completed a home-and-home sweep of the Vikings Monday in Rabbittown.
West Hall (3-1) rallied from a 2-0 deficit with a 5-run sixth inning. Kyle Murphy had a huge two-run single and Hunter Samples added a RBI hit in the big inning as well.
East Hall's Luke Holtzclaw (5.1IP, 3H, 5R, 8K) had held the Spartans scoreless through the first five innings before running into trouble in the sixth.
The Vikings led 2-0 through four on RBI hits from Matt Lacey and Mike Parker. Holtzclaw had a pair of hits as well for East Hall (0-3).
Clayton Jenkins started for West Hall and went four innings surrendering just the two RBI hits but walked four and struck out three. Freshman Nick Sturm picked up his first varsity win in relief pitching a perfect fifth. Murphy got the save pitching the final two innings allowing no hits or walks while fanning three.
West Hall will play host to North Hall on Wednesday, weather permitting.
East Hall next will play host to Calhoun in a doubleheader at East Hall Park.
APALACHEE 1,
EAST JACKSON 0
The Wildcats scored in the second inning and the Eagles left four runners on base in a tight pitcher's duel in Commerce.
Cole Sealey pitched 6 strong innings for East Jackson (3-1) sllowing just 1 run on 2 hits in front of a stellar defense that was flawless on the day.
Josh Compton had two hits and Dylan Varner had one hit but the Eagles could not get the big hit when they needed it.
East Jackson next will play host to Riverside Military Academy on Wednesday at 6 p.m., weather pending.
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