FLOWERY BRANCH — Flowery Branch’s 11-1 win against Cedar Shoals on Wednesday was significant in that it marked the program’s fifth win of the season, tying its entire season total for 2010.

It was also nice for the Falcons (5-1, 1-0 Region 8-AAAA) since it kicked off league play on a winning note.

Why such a drastic turnaround from last season? The answer seems to be Flowery Branch’s overall strong fundamental play at this early stage of the year. The Falcons also seem to know how to come up with the come-from-behind win after a 4-3 victory against Harding Academy (Tenn.) on Monday.

“Our pitching has been solid, defensively we’ve played well, and I’m just pleased that we’re off to a good start,” first-year Falcons coach Scott Myers said.

Cedar Shoals (4-5, 0-1) could not say the same about its performance. The Jaguars’ pitchers were battered for 13 hits and their defense made five errors, including one on a routine fly ball just beyond second base that resulted two Flowery Branch runners scoring.

“I feel like we’re pretty solid right now and are going to have a good chance of making the playoffs this season,” said Flowery Branch senior catcher Jesse Brookshire said, who went 3-for-4 with three RBIs and reached on an error in the fifth inning.

Brookshire opened the scoring with an RBI double in the first inning.

Then frustration started to set in with Cedar Shoals when its pitcher hit Logan Conley with a pitch on two strikes. As a result, Brookshire came in to score on a fielder’s choice, Conley scored when a throw down to second sailed into the outfield, and C.J. Navin poked an RBI single to cap off a four-run inning.

Brookshire followed with an RBI double in the second inning, which scored Chase Hulsey from second base.

With the bases loaded in the sixth inning, Kyle Famiano came through with a two-run walk-off single.

Andrew Laur picked up the win for the Falcons by pitching four innings, allowing three hits and giving up only two walks.

Cedar Shoals’ run came off an RBI single from Levonte Wynn in the fourth inning.

Gant Davis pitched two innings in relief for Flowery Branch and surrendered only one hit.

Laur helped himself on the mound by keeping runners out of scoring position. In the first inning, he managed to get the leadoff hitter out on a fielder’s choice trying to get to third on a ground ball, then threw a runner out at second base the following inning trying to steal.

Devoe added to the nice defensive night for Flowery Branch with a stop up the middle and throw to first base for the out.
Flowery Branch plays host to Clarke Central at 5:55 p.m. on Monday.