It’s pretty simple to figure out why the Flowery Branch High softball team was so successful against North Hall on Saturday in the North Fall Classic at North Hall. In each inning, the lead-off hitter started the inning with a hit and came around to score for the Lady Falcons (15-11) as they went on to win 8-0 in five innings. "We’ve been working hard on that and did a good job of getting the lead-off hitter on," Flowery Branch coach Valerie Lancaster said. In addition, Flowery Branch starter Rachel Duden threw her first complete game shutout of the season, with five strikeouts and only surrendered a single by North Hall’s Hannah Stevens. Duden only had to face 16 Lady Trojans hitters to record the win. Flowery Branch’s pitcher retired the side in order in the first, third, fourth and fifth innings. Alyssa Jannakos, a senior, led the Lady Falcons offensively at the top of the order with two hits and two runs scored. Jessica Harper, Caitlin Fowler, Tonya Evans and Kari Winegar all added two hits for Flowery Branch. Allison Thornton also had a hit for the Lady Falcons. "I thought we were hitting the ball pretty well," Lancaster added. The Lady Falcons did most of their damage at the plate in the second and fourth innings. In the second, Winegar led the inning off with a single that glanced off the third baseman’s glove. Harper then reached base on an error, and Thornton managed to load the bases with an infield single. Winegar scored on a fielder’s choice and Harper followed with an RBI single to score Thornton. In the fourth inning, Jannakos started the inning with a single and advanced to third on consecutive passed balls. Harper followed with her second RBI single of the game. Meagan Albini and Kendall Fowler also scored in the inning on passed balls. Fowler also drove in a run in the fifth inning for Flowery Branch.
Flowery Branch 6, Lumpkin County 1
Flowery Branch starter Roxie Dalton recorded six strikeouts and faced only 16 batters to record the win Saturday in the North Fall Classic at North Hall. Kari Winegar had two hits for the Lady Falcons. Caitlin Fowler had two RBIs and Allison Thornton also drove in a run for Flowery Branch. Central Forsyth 4, Flowery Branch 1 Tonya Evans finished 2-for-3 for the Lady Falcons (15-12) en route to a first place finish in the silver division of the North Fall Classic on Saturday at North Hall. Alyssa Jannakos, Kari Winegar and Caitlin Fowler each added a hit for Flowery Branch. Flowery Branch plays host to West Forsyth at 5:55 p.m. Tuesday. White County wins gold division In the gold bracket played at North Georgia College & State University, White County finished first and Habersham Central finished second. Details of the games were unavailable.