HOSCHTON, Ga. — Jackson County rallied from an early 3-0 deficit to knock off Apalachee 7-3 on Wednesday to stay alive for the final postseason spot in Region 8-5A.
The win for the Panthers (14-12, 5-7 Region 8-5A) moved them into a tie with Apalachee (8-18, 5-7 Region 8-5A) for fourth place to end the regular season. The two teams will play a one-game playoff on Friday at Apalachee for the final playoff spot.
After Apalachee scored three runs in the first, Jackson County tied the game in the bottom of the second on a sacrifice fly and a RBI single by Brody Strickland.
The Panthers took a 6-3 lead in the fourth on a fielder's choice, another sacrifice fly, and Colin Price’s run-scoring single. They added a run in the fifth on Price’s second RBI hit of the game.
Price also got the win on the mound, surrendering three runs on four hits in six innings and striking out eight.
JOHNS CREEK 4,
GAINESVILLE 3
Big Red gave up three runs over the final two innings to drop a crucial Region 7-5A game to the Gladiators on Wednesday on the road.
It’s a battle for second place in the region and Johns Creek (18-7, 11-5 Region 7-5A) took the opening shot, rallying from a 3-1 deficit. The Gladiators plated a run in the sixth and then scored the winning runs with two out in the bottom of the seventh.
Gainesville (12-15, 10-6 Region 7-5A) broke a 1-1 tie in the fourth on RBI single by CJ Saudarg and Hayden Graham. Cohen Miller doubled ina run in the first for the Red Elephants.
Miller took the loss for Gainesville, allowing four runs (only one earned) on six hits while striking out seven in 6 2/3 innings.
The two teams will resume their three-game series on Thursday at Ivey-Watson Field.
HABERSHAM CENTRAL 16,
ALCOVY 1
The Raiders scored in all but one inning, including a 7-run seventh inning to put the game out of reach.
Branson Smith paved the way on the mound scattering five runs but striking out 10 strikeouts in a complete-game win in both teams’ season finale.
Habersham Central led just 4-0 after the fourth inning but scored twice in the fifth, three times in the sixth, and then the big seventh inning to seal the win.
Lucas Machado, Charlie Mills, and Tyler Rothell each had two hits for the Raiders.
Habersham Central will take the No. 3 seed from Region 8-5A into the Class 5A state playoffs next week.
HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL SCOREBOARD FOR WEDNESDAY, April 16
Buford 10, Dacula 6*
Habersham Central 16, Alcovy 1*
Jackson County 7, Apalachee 3*
Jefferson 6, Winder-Barrow 2
Johns Creek 4, Gainesville 3*
North Forsyth 6, Lambert 1*
(* -- denotes region contest)
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