A loss last week to North Oconee has cut Jefferson’s lead in the region over the Titans to only one game with just eight regular season games left on the schedule. Jefferson recorded a win Tuesday over Oglethorpe County, but were unable to gain more ground on the Titans.
The Dragons look to get back on the beam this (Wednesday) afternoon, as they play host to the Leopards of Banks County.
Banks enters the week 8-4 in the region, and 12-6 overall. It will be the first of two pairings between the two teams this month.
First pitch is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
North Oconee
On Friday, the Dragons played host to the Titans of North Oconee. The previous Tuesday, Jefferson had routed North Oconee 17-5.
Friday, however, was a different story.
After a scoreless first inning, the Titans drew first blood by getting three runs across in the top of the second to take the lead. The Dragons answered in the bottom of the inning by getting their first run on the board, making it 3-1.
After a scoreless third and fourth, Jefferson tied the game in the bottom of the fifth by getting two runners across, making it a 3-3 game. North Oconee struck back in the top of the sixth by scoring twice, making it 5-3.
The Dragons attempted to rally in the bottom of the sixth, getting an additional run on the board. But they would get no closer. After a scoreless seventh inning, the Titans collected the win, 5-4.
Jared Kimmel recorded the loss, giving up one run on the night.
Kyle Hardy went 2-2 at the plate with one RBI on night. Jake Fields went 2-3. Jamie Sexton went 1-3 with 2 RBIs. Andrew Bartek went 2-3. Caleb Meek went 1-2.
Oconee Co.
Up next was a trip to Foley Field at UGA to face off against the Oconee County Warriors on Monday.
The Warriors took control in the bottom of the first inning, getting one run on the board to take an early lead. The Dragons answered in the top of the second by getting their first run of the night to tie the game.
The Warriors then blew the game wide open in the bottom of the second, scoring eight runs to take a 9-1 advantage.
After a scoreless third inning, Jefferson scored two runs in the top of the fourth to close the gap a little. Oconee opened that gap back up by scoring two more runs of their own in the bottom of the inning.
The Dragons then put two more runners across in the top of the fifth.
But Oconee County broke out again, scoring six runs in the bottom of the fifth to make it 17-5, ending the game in five innings on the 10-run rule.
Cain Finch recorded the loss, giving up nine runs and six hits while striking out two in just over an inning and a half.
Oglethorpe Co.
On Tuesday, the Dragons played host to the Oglethorpe County Patriots.
The Patriots took an early lead, putting one run across in the top of the first. But Jefferson broke out early, scoring seven in the bottom of the first, then adding three more in the bottom of the second and another two in the bottom of the third.
Oglethorpe wouldn’t score again until the top of the fourth, as they got one run across. The Dragons answered by putting three more runs on the board in the bottom of the fourth. The game ended after five innings, with Jefferson winning 15-2.
Jake Fields recorded the win from the mound, giving up just two runs and five hits while striking out eight in five innings.
Fields also helped himself at the plate, going 3-3 with two RBIs, including two home runs. Caleb Meek went 3-3 with two RBIs, including a home run. Drew Carson went 1-2 with a home run and three RBIs. Lucas Redd went 2-4 with three RBIs. Andrew Bartek went 2-3 with one RBI.
