JEFFERSON — Class 4A eighth-ranked Jefferson scored eight runs in the third inning en route to a 12-6 win over No. 1 North Oconee on Friday to win the two teams’ Region 8-4A season series.
The win for the Dragons (18-7, 12-3 Region 8-4A) kept them in second place and now just percentage points behind the Titans (19-4, 10-2 Region 8-4A). Jefferson is 2 1/2 games ahead of third place Flowery Branch (17-6, 8-4 Region 8-4A).
North Oconee took the opening lead in the first on a one-out solo home run by Clemson-commit Bubba Chandler.
Jefferson answered back in the bottom of the first when Bowman Horn walked, stole second and third, and then scored on a sacrifice fly from Cole Watkins. The Dragons took the lead for good in the second on a Jake Walker RBI double.
In the big third inning, Jefferson roughed up three North Oconee pitchers. Jace Peoples had a RBI double, Horn drove in a run with a single, J.J. Rapp brought in two with a single, and Mason Cooper capped the explosion with a three-run homer as 11 men came to the plate.
The Titans pulled within 10-5 with a four-run fourth but Jefferson scored two more in the bottom of the inning on an error and a passed ball to extend the lead to 12-5.
Watkins and Rapp pitched the first four innings allowing six runs on seven hits. Peoples pitched the final three innings surrendering just two hits and a walk while fanning six to get the save.
Jefferson next will travel to Woodward Academy on Thursday before opening its final Region 8-4A series on the road against East Hall on Monday, April 19.
