A DIFFICULT schedule in the Hawk-Bulldog Classic proved to be just that for Jackson County.
The Panthers (2-5-1) dropped five of six contests at the four-day tournament, which was played in multiple locations. Mill Creek and North Gwinnett high schools hosted the event jointly.
Jackson County, which returns to the field Friday in the Buccaneer Bash Tournament, played five Class AAAAAA schools over the course of the tournament.
The team’s highlight was a Thursday 10-10 tie with Mill Creek — a 32-win team last year that finished as runners-up in Class AAAAA — in the second game of the tournament.
Offensive leaders were Alyssa Dasher (2-for-4, single, double, three RBIs, one run), Victoria Fontana (2-for-3, two singles, three RBIs, one run), Shelton Kendrix (2-for-4, single, double, RBI, run) and Hattie Sewell (1-for-2, walk, two runs). Mason Garland, Peyton Sorrells and Kristin Anderson all had one hit.
Sorrells pitched and earned a no-decision. She surrendered 10 runs, but only five were earned.
Jackson County opened the tournament with an 8-0 Wednesday loss to Archer, a team which the Panthers beat Aug. 14.
Garland, Dasher, Kendrix, and Cassie Satterfield all had one hit.
Pitcher Jessica Baker took the loss giving up eight runs, three of which were earned.
After the tie with Mill Creek Thursday, Jackson County lost 6-5 to North Forsyth Friday.
Offensive highlights included Baker’s first career home run. She went 1-for-3 with three RBIs and one run scored. Other leading hitters were Garland (2-for-3, two singles, two RBIs, one run), Kendrix (2-for-3, double, single, run) and Fontana (2-for-4, two singles, one run). Dasher and Andrea Ledford each had one hit.
Baker pitched and took the loss, surrendering six runs, five of which were earned.
Jackson County fell 9-2 to Lanier Saturday in the first of three games that afternoon.
The top hitters were Dasher (2-for-3, two singles, one run), Satterfield (1-for-3, single, run scored) and Sewell (1-for-3, single).
Sorrells gave up nine runs (three earned) in taking the loss.
A 9-1 loss to Harrison followed.
Ledford went 1-for-2 with a single and RBI. Fontana scored the lone run.
Baker gave up nine runs, four of which were earned, and took the loss.
Jackson County lost 4-2 to North Gwinnett to close the tournament.
Kendrix went 2-for-3 with a single, double and two RBIs. Ledord, Sorrells, Baker, Garland, Fontana and Dasher each had a hit. Garland and Dasher each scored a run.
