Jefferson Takes Region Series Win Over Oconee County

The Jefferson Dragons faced their second Region 8AAA opponent last week as they faced the Warriors of Oconee County.  After falling in game 1 at Oconee by a score of 4-2, the Dragons battled back to sweep the double-header at home on Friday by scores of 8-6 and 3-2.

For the first game of the series, Jefferson managed 11 hits through the game, but were only able to push around 2 runs.  Their first run did not come until the 5th inning.  That is when #20 Taylor Wilkes (2-for-4 2B 2Runs) reached base on a Double, and then scored when #18 Will Breese (1-for-4 2 2B RBI) followed with a RBI Double.  The only other run came in the 7th, when Wilkes reached on another Double and scored on a RBI Single by #10 Joshua Hutch (1-for-3 RBI).
On the mound for game 1, Wilkes also got the start.  Wilkes pitched 6 complete innings, recording 7 Ks and allowing 4 runs on 7 hits.

Moving back home on Friday night for the series double-header, the Dragons were able to muster up some big offense in 3rd inning of game 1 to help hold on for the win.  The first run came in the 1st inning, when #12 Zack Boobas (1-for-3 2B RBI 2 Runs) drove a RBI Double scoring #15 Zac Corbin (2-for-3 2 Runs).  The big offense came in the 3rd, with 6 runs crossing.  #8 Hunter Thompson (1-for-3 Run RBI) drove in the first run with a RBI Single, scoring Boobas.  #6 Kasan Rainey (2-for-3 3RBI Run 2B) followed with a 2 RBI Double and #20 Taylor Wilkes (1-for-3 2 RBI) later followed with a 2 RBI Single.  Corbin scored the 6th run after reaching base on a Single and later stealing home for a run.  The Dragons tacked on another run in the 4th when Rainey drove another RBI Single, scoring Boobas.
On the mound for this game, #14 Asher Standridge got the start.  Standridge recording 5 innings on the hill, recording 5 Ks and allowing 3 runs (2 earned) on 5 hits.  #24 Brooks Beddow came on in relief in the 6th and in 2/3 of an inning, allowed 3 runs on 3 hits.  #7 Patrick Hickox came in to close out the game.  Hickox pitched 1 1/3 innings and allowed 0 runs and 0 hits, securing the win for the Dragons.

The final game of the series was a tight battle, going down to the final at bat.  The Dragons recorded their first 2 runs in the 3rd.  With the bases loaded, #22 Lane Watkins (1-for-2 RBI) walked and the #6 Kasan Rainey (0-for-2 RBI) was hit by a pitch, both forcing in runs.  The score remained tied at 2-2 going into the 7th inning.  #20 Taylor Wilkes (3-for-4 Run) set the stage with a lead-off Single.  #15 Zac Corbin (0-for-1 SacBunt) followed with Sacrifice Bunt, forcing Wilkes around.  #8 Hunter Thompson (1-for-4 RBI) later stepped to the plate and drove a walk-off RBI Single, scoring Wilkes and winning the game for Jefferson.
On the mound for Jefferson, #10 Joshua Hutch got the start.  Hutch recorded 2 1/3 innings on the hill, recording 2 Ks and allowing 1 run on 2 hits.  #7 Patrick Hickox came on in relief and in 4 2/3 innings, recorded 2 Ks and allowed 1 run on 5 hits.

Following this series, the Dragons stand at a record of 9-3 (5-1 Region 8AAA).  They face their next region opponent, East Jackson, this week.