JEFFERSON — The Jackson County Panthers split a pair of games Saturday, knocking off Osborne High, 8-3, before losing to Clarke Central in the nightcap of the second annual Panther Diamond Day.
John Florentine picked up the win against the Cardinals, striking out four batters while giving up only four hits and three walks. Austin Robinson and Codye Elrod each went 2-for-3 with an RBI in the win. Ken Miller went 1-for-3 with a double for the Panthers
The Panthers (2-2) trailed 2-1 after three innings against Clarke Central (4-1), after Robinson scored on a single by Elrod.
“We knew they were going to have a good ballclub and both teams came out and hit the ball well early on,” Fountain said. “They had a couple of balls that fell in the third and they took advantage and put some runs on the board.”
Rob Williams needed only one pitch to change the game as he hit a grand slam to cut Clarke Central’s lead to 8-6, bringing the Panthers’ fans to their feet. Williams went 2-for-4 in the game including his four RBI.
The Panthers still trailed by two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning and appeared on their way to a remarkable comeback as Zach Sticher started the inning off with a single followed by Austin Moser and Trey Sorrells, who each drew a walk to load the bases with two outs.
Clarke Central’s Jay Swinford ended any thoughts of a comeback though when he made a diving catch during the Panthers’ next at-bat to end the game.
North Hall 7, Flowery Branch 4
Davis Partrick pitched five innings without giving up an earned run to lead the Trojans to a win over Flowery Branch on Saturday at North Hall.
Chris Stevens, who went 1-for-2 with an RBI, pitched a scoreless seventh to pick up the save for the Trojans (3-3, 3-1 Region 7-AAA).
Jeff Abernathy went 2-for-3 with a double and two runs scored, and Try Pinson went 2-for-4 with two RBIs for North Hall. Flowery Branch was led by Brad Stone, who went 2-for-3 with two RBIs.
White County 2, West Hall 0
David Sosebee pitched a complete game and struck out seven batters to earn his first win of the season Saturday in Cleveland.
Travis Rutkiewicz broke a scoreless tie in the fifth inning with a home run, and the Warriors (3-2, 2-2 Region 7-AAA) added an insurance run in the sixth when Luke Crumley scored on a Kevin Frederick RBI double. Frederick finished 2-for-4 with two doubles and an RBI, Crumley was 2-for-3 with a double, and Rutkiewicz was 2-for-3 with the home run.
West Hall was led by Scott Eichler, who went 2-for-2.
GOLF
Trojans, Cole win tournament
Landry Haynes carded a 72 to lead the North Hall golf team to a first-place finish at the Cole Mountain Classic on Saturday at Hampton Golf Club in Cumming.
Jimmy Lloyd shot a 75 and Roger Nash carded a 78 for the Trojans.
Gainesville High’s Camryn Cole carded a tournament-low 75 to win the girls portion of the Cole Mountain Classic. Cole’s 75 paced the Lady Red Elephants to a tie for fifth place.
Gainesville boys finish 7th in tourney
Justin Cochran carded a 69 to help lead the Gainesville boys golf team to a seventh place finish Saturday at the Apple Mountain Invitational in Clarkesville.
The Red Elephants finished with a team score of 309 with scores of 77 from Jake Martin, an 80 from Will Frankum and an 83 from Matt Cindea.
SOCCER
North Hall girls 5, West Hall 2
Tess Patton and Alli Wright each scored two goals as the Lady Trojans beat West Hall on Saturday in Oakwood.
Taylor Knight also scored for North Hall (5-3, 3-0 Area 7-AAA). Brittany Farmer scored two goals for West Hall (5-3, 1-3).
West Hall boys 2, North Hall 0
Rudy Vazquex scored two second-half goals to give the Spartans a win on Saturday.
Gerson Mejia and Tino Vazquez each had an assist for West Hall (7-1, 4-0 Area 7-AAA).
Jamie King recorded seven saves for the Spartans.
West Hall plays host to Flowery Branch at 7 p.m. Tuesday.