WALNUT GROVE, Ga. — Chestatee closed out its portion of Region 8-4A crossover games with an impressive 3-1 win over ninth-ranked Walnut Grove on Thursday on the road.
The win gave Chestatee a final 3-2 record in the crossover games. The War Eagles (6-6) will get ready to open their Region 8-4A North subregion slate on Monday against East Hall at the Lynn Cottrell Complex.
Against Walnut Grove, Jake Hitchcock started and pitched a gem for the War Eagles, going the distance and allowing just one run on four hits and three walks and striking out four.
Hitchcock also provided the big hit at the plate, stroking a two-run single in the top of the sixth to break a 1-1 tie. Chestatee had taken a 1-0 lead in the fourth on a RBI double from Eli Chaffin.
The Warriors (8-4) got their only run on a Hewett Jones RBI single in the fifth to tie the game.
Dylan Thompson, Brock Moody, and Thomas Martens also had one hit for Chestatee.
BUFORD 5,
PARKVIEW 3
The seventh-ranked Wolves knocked off the No. 2 Panthers on the road, scoring five runs in the final two innings to rally for the win.
After trailing the entire game, Ethan Murray stroked a two-run double in the sixth to tie the game at 2. But Parkview reclaimed a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the inning on a RBI single from Greg Jones.
But Buford (6-4) scored runs on an error and a fielder’s choice to grab a 4-2 lead and Murray added his third RBI of the game knocking in another run to cap the three-run seventh.
Damian Brown got the win for Buford, surrendering one hit and striking out six in two scoreless innings in relief.
WEST HALL 7,
DAWSON COUNTY 5
The Spartans took the rubber game of the two teams’ Region 7-3A series with a come-from-behind win in Dawsonville.
West Hall (4-8, 2-1 Region 7-3A) rallied back from two separate deficits, using a four-run fifth inning to take the lead for good. In the fifth, Ozzie Lopez ripped a two-run double and the Spartans added two more on Dawson County errors in the inning for a 5-4 lead. They scored two more in the sixth.
Dawson County (7-4, 1-2 Region 7-3A) led 1-0 in the second, 2-1 in the third after a solo home run from Julian Horner, and 4-1 in the fourth following a two-run homer from Horner.
But the Tigers could not hold it.
John Kendrick earned the win for West Hall in relief. Kendrick allowed one run on one hit in three innings of work, striking out three.
Sawyer Bearden took the loss for Dawson County, giving up three runs (only one earned) on one hit in one inning
Dawson County will travel to Gilmer on Tuesday to open another 7-3A series.
West Hall heads to Lumpkin County on Tuesday to open a 7-3A series against the Indians.
LUMPKIN COUNTY 7,
WHITE COUNTY 3
The Indians salvaged the final game of their three-game Region 7-3A series at home on Thursday.
Lumpkin County (5-6, 1-2 Region 7-3A) jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead after the first inning and led 4-0 in the third. It stayed that way until the Warriors (8-4, 2-1 Region 7-3A) pulled within 4-2 in the sixth.
The Indians answered with three runs in the bottom of the sixth. White County scored one in the seventh but could get no closer.
Hunter Davenport drove in a pair of runs and Peyton Wood, Mason Hester, and Dakota Bennett each drove in a run for Lumpkin County.
Shelton Ramey knocked in two runs for the Warriors.
Adian Rogers got the win for Lumpkin County, scattering three hits and allowing just two earned runs in six innings.
Ramey took the loss for White County.
LANIER CHRISTIAN 8-6,
COVINGTON ACADEMY 1-0
The Lightning swept a doubleheader at home on Thursday.
In Game 1, Tres Criste threw a complete game, giving up one run on four hits while striking out 11.
LCA led 2-1 early but blew the game open with a six-run fourth.
Criste, Josh Waymack, and Evan Kalinauskas had two hits each for the Lightning. Josh Lebel drove in two runs for LCA as seven different players contributed hits and drove in runs for the offense.
In Game 2, Mikah Criste picked up the win, giving up only one hit in the shutout. Hayden Davis and Gavin Strabala pitched one inning of relief each, as the Lightning pitchers gave up only two hits for the game.
Carter Sexton sparked the offense, ripping a bases loaded double in the third.
LCA (5-1) will be back in action on Monday at home against Trinity Prep before starting region play Tuesday on the road at Pinecrest Academy.
HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL SCOREBOARD Thursday, March 7
Buford 5, Parkview 3
Chestatee 3, Walnut Grove 1*
Commerce 11-10, Barrow Arts and Sciences Academy 0-0*
Lanier Christian 8-6, Covington Academy 1-0
Lumpkin County 7, White County 3*
North Forsyth 8, Archer 2
West Hall 7, Dawson County 5*
(* -- denotes region contest)
