The Trojans (6-2, 3-1 Region 7-AAA) promptly rebounded from Monday’s 13-0 loss to Gainesville, with a 10-0 shutout of East Hall on Thursday night at the East Hall Park.
"We talked as a team after Monday’s game, and I knew this game against East Hall was going to reveal a lot about our team," Trojans coach Trent Mongero said. "We hit the ball well, had good pitching and played well on defense — it was a complete game in all facets."
And the way this season in Region 7-AAA is shaping up, it looks like a short memory will also keep you floating near the top of the region standings.
As a result of Flowery Branch’s loss to White County on Thursday night, North Hall is now in a four-way tie for second place in the region.
"It’s gonna be a crazy year," North Hall senior pitcher Josh Wright said after earning the complete game victory on the mound.
The Trojans rebounded with seven hits against the Vikings (3-5, 2-2) and had seven different hitters reach base. North Hall also capitalized on East Hall’s three errors, and scored a pair of runs in the second inning on wild pitches. For the Trojans, it helps push away the memories of only being able to manage two hits against the Red Elephants earlier this week.
North Hall pushed six runs across the plate in the second inning against the Vikings, thanks, in large part, to a three-run home run from Wright that scored Jackson Coker and Davis Partrick. Wright finished the game 2-for-3 with a double and four RBIs.
"This was definitely a big win for us," Wright said. "It was a good night for us all around."
Coker also added a little pop in the Trojans lineup with a two-run home run in the sixth inning for the final runs of the game. He finished the game 1-for-2 with two RBIs and two runs scored.
"We beat a good East Hall team tonight," Mongero said. "Except for the Gainesville game, we’ve hit the ball pretty well all season."
K.J. McAllister, a sophomore, also hit the ball well for North Hall with a 2-for-4 night at the plate. His RBI single in the second inning scored senior right fielder Josh Haymore.
Partrick, A.J. Allison and Graham Duncan also added hits for the Trojans.
On the mound, Wright threw 100 pitches and faced only 24 hitters to earn the win. His ability to throw strikes all night was evident in the fact that he collected 11 strikeouts and didn’t allow a walk over six innings.
"My goal on the mound is to throw strikes and let the other team hit it," Wright said. "I know I have seven teammates playing behind me to make plays."
Wright, a Shorter College signee, also kept his composure in a bind. After East Hall loaded the bases in the fifth inning, he struck out the final batter of the inning.
Billy Satterfield had the only extra base hit for the Vikings with a double in the fifth inning. Chris Cornett, Zeb Miller and Tracey Gardner each had singles for the Vikings.
North Hall plays host to White County at 5:30 tonight at Jody Davis Field. East Hall visits Lumpkin County at 5:45 tonight in Dahlonega.