The Banks County High School Leopards took the final step to win the 8AA North Sub Region Title on Friday night against Union County. The Leopards won the first game of the double header 4-2 and clinched the number one seed in the region playoffs which begin on April 18 at BCHS. The Leopards dropped the second game 9-2 as the team played the full roster for experience.
Leading up to the sub region win, the Leopards defeated Rabun County with a three game sweep the previous week. BCHS took the first game 7-6.
Brenton Ruark, on two days rest, came on in relief of an injured Taylor Foster and pitched five innings while giving up three runs (two earned) on six hits. Ruark struck out seven and walked three to get the victory for Banks. The win gave the Leopards a 6-5 overall season record and a 5-2 in the Region 8-AA North.
Tyler Hellmeister led the Leopards at the plate hitting three of five including a double with three RBI's.
In game two, Taylor Foster pitched a shutout and the Leopards win 1-0. Foster continued his dominance from the mound, pitching seven innings and allowing only two singles while striking out ten wildcats at the plate.
Rabun's Jesse Rentz was almost as dominant as he pitched six innings and only allowed four hits. However, Banks made Rabun pay with a costly error in the sixth inning as Jamison Flynn scored on a wild pitch. Foster struck out the next three batters in the top of the seventh to end the game.
BCHS scored six runs in the final at-bat to sweep Rabun 10-9 to win game three.
"This game was a complete polar opposite of game one," said Coach Dean Goodwin. Billy Hudgins hit a two out two RBI double in the bottom of the seventh inning to give the Leopards a dramatic come from behind victory. Taylor Foster's bases loaded pinch-hit two RBI double with one out made the score 10-9. Two batters later, Hudgins emptied the Banks County dugout as a mob players dog piled him at second base.
Leading the Leopards at bat were Brenton Ruark who was four for four with two doubles, one triple, two runs scored and two RBI's. Hudgins was two for four with two doubles, two runs scored and two RBI's. The Banks County Leopards improve to an 8-5 overall season record and 7-2 in Region 8-AA North.
The Leopards played Fannin County during spring break week winning 11-1 in five innings. The game that ended due to the mercy rule.
Taylor Foster pitched all five innings and allowed only four hits while striking out 10 to bring his record to 5-0 on the season.
Leading hitters for the Leopards were Tyler Hellmeister batting two for two with three runs scored. Zack Lee was two for three with three RBI's. Dean Ewing was two for three with two RBI's. Tanner Thompson was two for four with a RBI and one run scored. Jacob Loggins added a three RBI double.
The win gave the Leopards a 9-5 season record and an 8-2 region record, a two game lead for first place in Region 8-AA North going into the final games of the season.
Banks County defeated Union County 4-2 in game one of the doubleheader.
Brenton Ruark earned the victory from the mound by throwing five and a third innings. He allowed six hits and struck out nine batters. Taylor Foster came on in relief in the sixth and picked up his first save by pitching one and two thirds innings, allowing no hits and struck out three batters.
Leading the Leopards at the plate were Cody Watkins who was two for two with two RBI's. Tyler Hellmeister was two for three with a run scored. Taylor Foster had a key two out RBI single. Zack Lee added a base hit double.
In game two, Union County easily defeated Banks County 9-2 in a meaningless game for playoff position. The Leopards played all 20 players on their roster.
Banks County will now host the number four seed, Jefferson from Region 8-AA South on Wednesday April 18, in a best two out of three series. Games one and two will be played on Wednesday and if a third game is necessary, Banks will host that one on Thursday, April 19.
The Leopards celebrated senior night in between games on Friday night. All six senior were brought out on the field with parents escort. The players received flowers for the moms and a medal for their achievement.
