FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Class 5A No. 2 Jefferson scored four runs in the top of the seventh to escape with a 7-3 road win over Flowery Branch in a big Region 8-5A matchup on Wednesday.
The big blow for the Lady Dragons (10-1, 6-0 Region 8-5A) was a bases-clearing double from Ally Baldwin following a RBI single by Reagan Hays.
Addison Self closed out the complete game for Jefferson surrendering just four hits and three runs (only one earned) while striking out four.
The Lady Dragons took a 3-0 lead in the second when Jenna Rapp blasted a solo home run to center and Natalie Beck singled in two runs. But the Lady Falcons (4-9, 2-5 Region 8-5A) tied the game in the third.
Laney Price singled in a run and Branch got a run on a Jefferson error and a wild pitch by Self. It stayed that way until the seventh.
Peyton Baker went the distance for Branch, allowing seven runs on 10 hits.
BUFORD 5,
WESLEYAN 1
In a matchup of defending state champions and top-ranked teams, the Class 7A No. 1-ranked Lady Wolves held off the Class 3A No. 1 and defending 3A state champions in 12 innings in Norcross on Wednesday.
Adriana Martinez got an RBI groundout in the first to give Buford (11-0) the quick lead. Wesleyan tied the game at 1 in the fourth on a RBI fielder’s choice by Saiah Wren
In the top of the twelfth inning, Buford plated four when Madison Pickens and Mackenzie Pickens had back-to-back RBI hits, Addie Rackley added a RBI sacrifice fly, and Tavye Borders had an RBI single.
One day after pitching a perfect game, Caroline Stanton pitched the final six innings allowing no runs on no hits and striking out 12. Rackley started in the circle for Buford, scattering four hits and allowing one unearned run in six innings. Rackley fanned nine.
Buford next will play host to Dacula on Thursday in a Region 8-7A battle.
NORTH HALL 24,
CEDAR SHOALS 0 (3 inn)
The Lady Trojans won their second straight game and moved within one-half game of fourth place in Region 8-4A with a big win on the road.
North Hall (10-4, 4-2 Region 8-4A) blew open a close game with 10 runs in the second and 12 runs in the third.
Jacey Smith had three hits and drove in four runs and Olivia Mullins tripled and doubled and knocked in three runs to lead the North Hall offense. Bre Stowers and Genesis Satterfield each had two hits and combined for two RBI as well.
Mac Taylor got the win in the circle scattering two hits and two walks and striking out five in two innings.
MILL CREEK 9,
EAST FORSYTH 6
Class 4A third-ranked East Forsyth could not hold an early lead in a loss to the Class 7A Lady Hawks on the road.
The Lady Broncos (8-4) opened with a pair of runs in the first on RBI hits by Cali Marshall and Shelby Conaway. But Mill Creek with two runs in the bottom of the first and two more in the second. The Lady Hawks extended the lead to 9-2 with five runs in the fourth with six hits, a walk and a East Forsyth error.
East Forsyth used a four-run fifth to climb within 9-6, scoring all four runs with two out. The Lady Broncos loaded the bases in the sixth and got the tying run to the plate in the seventh but could not get the big hit.
East Forsyth, which sits in first place in region 8-4A, will jump back into region action on Thursday traveling to Cedar Shoals.
