After a rough start that resulted in a loss to Hebron, the Diamond Tigers of Commerce bounced back to pick up wins over Lakeview Academy, Social Circle and Riverside last week, leaving them 4-1 in the region and 5-1 overall.
The Tigers will face Towns County Friday at 5:30. The Indians are 2-1 in the region and 2-3 overall.
Towns is looking to snap a 10-game losing streak to Commerce, with the most recent win coming back on April 15 of 2010, when the Tigers won 17-2.
Hebron
Commerce was looking for its second region win when the Tigers traveled to Dacula to face Hebron Christian last Tuesday.
Instead, the Tigers came out with their first loss of the year and their fourth strait loss to the Lions, as Hebron won 1-0.
Colton Davis recorded the loss from the mound,
Senior Ethan Thomas led the Tigers at the plate, going 2-for-2. Chase Barnett, Josh Swistak and Davis all had hits.
“We did not do the little things and even though we outplayed Hebron it cost us in the end,” said coach Steve Cotrell. “Hebron is a very good team and I am not trying to take anything away from them.”
Lakeview
The Tigers traveled to Gainesville Friday to face Lakeview Academy.
Looking to rebound from Tuesday’s loss, Commerce took control early, and pulled out to a 12-7 advantage going into the bottom of the sixth.
But Lakeview wasn’t going down without a fight, and rallied to within striking distance. The Tigers held on, however, and came away with the 12-11 victory.
Brandon Brooks recorded the win on the mound, striking out six while giving up two runs and four hits in 2 1/3 innings.
Swistak led the offense, going 3-for-4 with one RBI and one run scored.
Cody Streetman drove in two and had two hits, Chase Barnett was 2-for-4 with three RBIs. Davis had a homer, Brooks drove in two with one hit and Addison Davis, Thomas and Keenan Lord all had hits.
Social Circle
Commerce was on the road again on Saturday, this time traveling to Social Circle to face the Redskins.
Commerce cruised from start to finish as Robert Hayes gave up just two hits while striking out five as the Tigers rolled over the Redskins 15-0 in five innings.
Swistak had a big game, driving in five with a 2-for-4 night that included a homer. Addison Davis had two hits, including a homer, and four RBIs, and Streetman had a pair of hits and drove in one.
Riverside
The Tigers continued their win streak Monday in Gainesville against the Riverside Eagles.
Commerce established control early, with Swistak holding Riverside to one run and while striking out four in five innings as the Tigers picked up the 11-1 victory.
For more on this story, see Wednesday's edition of The Commerce News.
