The Flowery Branch girls tennis team secured a spot in the upcoming state playoffs with a 3-0 defeat of Apalachee on Thursday in the quarterfinals of the Region 8-AAAA tournament at Madison County.

Elizabeth Mallory won 6-0, 6-0 at No. 2 singles, while the No. 1 doubles team of Dani Taylor and Durden Smith won 6-0, 6-1.

The other Flowery Branch win came due an Apalachee forfeit at No. 1 singles.

Flowery Branch will face Rockdale County in the semifinals Friday at Madison County for a spot in the region championship match.

FLOWERY BRANCH BOYS 3, SALEM 2: With a sweep of No. 1 and No. 2 doubles Thursday at Madison County High, the Falcons advanced to the second round of the Region 8-AAAA tournament.

Luke Smith and Anthony Monacella won, 6-1, 6-0, while Isaac Black and Christopher Hedden won, 6-2, 6-0, for Flowery Branch, which faces Rockdale County at 10 a.m. today in the semifinals for a spot in the state tournament.

Baseball

LAKEVIEW ACADEMY 8, ATHENS CHRISTIAN 1: Taylor Simpson struck out seven, and Lakeview Academy scored six runs in the bottom of the third, en route to a win over Athens Christian on Thursday in Gainesville.

Simpson (1-4) threw a complete game, scattering seven hits, one walk and one run for Lakeview (8-10, 7-8 Region 8-A), which remains within striking distance of the fourth seed from the region with five games left to play.

Jacob Whitenton led the Lion from the plate, going 3-for-4 with two RBIs.

Logan Jones also drive in two runs on 1-for-3 hitting, with Dallas Deavers adding a double.

Lakeview visits Social Circle, which is also in the hunt for a state playoff spot, at 5:30 p.m. Friday.

High school results may be reported by 10:30 p.m. by calling 770-718-3406, or emailing sports@gainesvilletimes.com.