Jefferson remain undefeated in region 8A
BY JUSTIN POOLE
After a double shutout, the Diamond Dragons have their sights firmly set on the state playoffs.
The Jefferson High School Diamond Dragons maintain their hold on the top spot in Region 8-A after a doubleheader wins against Tallulah Falls, Tuesday. Jefferson won 15-0 and 13-0 against Tallulah.
Head coach Tommy Knight, in an interview before the game, cautioned that despite Tallulah Falls not being as tough a team as some of the other competitors the team would still have to be mentally prepared to play the game.
Whatever preparation the team took, it worked. In the first game, Jefferson rolled Tallulah in the third inning, scoring 12 runs adding to the three runs already on the board. In the second game, Jefferson stretched out the scoring a little, putting four runs up in the first, three runs in the second, and six runs in the fourth.
On the mound, Chris Swancey pitched the first game only having one hit on 11 batters. Jake Fields took the mound in the second game pitching the first two innings and Justin Rampley came in for the save. Both Fields and Rampley had four strikeouts.
“It was a good game,” said Knight. “We got to play a lot of guys.”
COMMERCE
Jefferson swept Commerce in a 9-0 victory April 8.
Taking advantage of the Tiger’s pitcher, Jefferson scored the bulk of their runs in the second inning. Anthony Dowker had the most hits for the Dragons, while Chris Beck had 3 RBI’s.
On the mound for Jefferson, Blain Skaggs is credited with the win. Jake Fields, Chris Swancey, and Beck all had time on the mound pitching against the rival team.
Jefferson will have to face the Tigers once more before the season is over. The Dragons will be at Commerce, Tuesday, April 22, to take on the Tigers.
ATHENS CHRISTIAN
The Dragons faced the Eagles of Athens Christian, last Thursday, April 10. Despite the Eagles scoring in the first and Jefferson not taking the lead until the fourth, The Dragons still defeated Athens Christian 3-2.
Beck, once again, performed on the mound pitching 10 strikeouts.
“Beck is the guy that every time we put him on the mound, we have a good shot of inning no matter who we are playing,” said Knight.
LAKEVIEW ACADEMY
In the second highest scoring game of the year, Jefferson crushed Lakeview Academy in a 14-2 triumph, April 11.
Last Friday, Jefferson traveled to Gainesville to take on the Lions. According to Knight, Jed Gurley got the bats going. Gurley had 5 RBI’s during the game.
“It was a close ball game until Jed got us going,” said Knight. “We went through the first few innings not swinging the bat to well, but after Jed hit the homerun we got going, hitting is contagious.”
PLANNING AHEAD
Jefferson still has six games before the first round of state playoffs.
The next victim for the Dragons is Hebron Christian Academy this Friday, April 18 at home. Earlier in the season, Jefferson overwhelmed Hebron 11-1. Knight said that Beck and Blinn would both be ready to go to the mound against Hebron. The Hebron Lions are currently fourth in the region. The game starts at 5:30 p.m. Next week, Jefferson once again face rival Commerce. The game is at Commerce and starts at 5:30 p.m.