West Hall (7-12, 6-9 7-AAA) batted around in both the fifth and sixth innings, putting up six runs in each of those innings. Johnson (7-11, 4-10 7-AAA) used three pitchers to get through the game, but were unable to hold West Hall at bay.
The Spartans took off in hurry with a first inning three-run homerun by Josh Preston. Preston ended with three hits and a game-high five RBI and three runs scored. Travis Clements then connected for a solo home run in the second inning to give West Hall a 4-1 lead. Clements, who drove in two and scored two runs, ended a triple shy of the cycle, laying down a sacrifice bunt in his final at-bat. Clements also stole a base and made a running catch down the leftfield line and doubling the runner off second.
Matt Boone went the distance on the mound for West Hall, getting a win after allowing five earned runs on 12 hits and three walks, while striking out three. Boone helped himself at the plate, tallying three hits and driving in three runs while scoring twice.
Brandon Grindle also added three RBI on a two-run double and a sacrifice fly. West Hall had six extra-base hits on three doubles, two homers and a triple. Matt Ginn provided some of the pop, going 2-for-4 with a double and triple with two RBI and a run scored. Ginn was also hit by a pitch. Chan Morris rounded out the hitting for the Spartans, going a perfect 2-for-2 at the plate with three walks, an RBI, three runs scored and a stolen base.
Johnson was led by starting pitcher Logan Pethel, who had a double and a triple, as well as a walk. Pethel had a huge two-out three-run triple in the fifth inning to pull Johnson within five runs. David Jones notched three hits including a double for the Knights, scoring a couple of runs.
Bradley Stevenson and Michael Lorentz added two hits apiece, while Stevenson produced an RBI in the first frame. West Hall will play host to Flowery Branch on Friday while Johnson travels to Gilmer.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2008/4/209094