Class A No. 3-ranked Lakeview baseball team clinched the Region 8-A championship with a 7-3 win over Hebron Christian Thursday in Dacula.
The win gives Lakeview a first-round bye in the Class A Private playoffs. They will host a second-round game on May 2.
Andrew Estes toss six stingy innings, allowing two runs on six hits. He also struck out eight. Campbell Melson pitched one inning in relief, striking out the last batter.
The Lions (18-4, 9-0) blew the game open with a four-run fourth inning.
Sam Stewart scored the first run off a single by Ian Echols to start the offensive assault. Stewart reached three times – two walks and a single. He also crossed the plays two times. KJ Millwood also chipped in his offensive skills, driving in two runs in the inning.
Hebron scored two runs in the sixth and one in the seventh, but Lakeview had already extended its lead 7-2.
Jordan Thomas 2-for-4 with an RBI Single, including a bunt that led to the three-run seventh inning. Skyler Thellman had a 3-for-4 day with a double and Echols was 2-for-4 with two RBIs.
The Lions will play at Athens Academy Friday. First pitch is 5:30 p.m.
MONROE AREA 10,
EAST JACKSON 2
Offense was a struggle for the Eagles Thursday in the Region 8-3A loss to Monroe Area.
The Purple Hurricanes slowly built their lead through five innings, scoring two runs in the first, three in the third and fourth and two in the fifth inning.
East Jackson scored in the top of the second inning and one in the fifth.
Caleb Adair and Cole Sealey each drove in a run for the Eagles.
FANNIN COUNTY 5,
EAST HALL 3
Fannin County set the tone early on, scoring five runs in two innings to take the Region 7-3A win in Blue Ridge Thursday.
The Rebels took a 5-0 lead after the third inning.
East Hall managed to score two runs in the top of the fifth off a Mikey Matuska double to centerfield. Matuska's double scored Matt Lacey and Taylor Smith.
In the seventh inning, the Vikings loaded the bases with a chance to tie the game. Luke Holtzclaw walked scoring Lacey.
Fannin's Blake Rogers fanned the final two batters to seal the win.
DAWSON COUNTY 10,
GREATER ATLANTA 8
It was a game of rallies Thursday afternoon in Dawsonville.
The Tiger offense broke it open in the third inning, going up 7-1, but GAC would strike back in the fifth inning.
The Spartans scored six runs in the top of the sixth inning to tie the game, 7-7. They would take the lead in the sixth inning, 8-7.
The Tigers scored three runs in the bottom of the sixth, grabbing the lead and the win.
