Indians Edge North Hall in Thrilling Finish

Stephens County goes on the road and knocks North Hall from the ranks of the unbeaten in Region 8-AAAA baseball.

After losing an 8-1 lead in the bottom of the sixth inning when North Hall scored eight runs, Stephens County scored three times with two out in the top of the seventh and then retired North Hall with the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh to win 11-9, handing the Trojans their first region loss on Friday night.

Down 9-8, Dylan Simpson led off the top of the seventh with a double. Pinch-runner Austin Page then moved to third on a groundout and scored with two out on a passed ball on a close play at the plate to tie the game at 9.

After Chaz Bridges walked, Kooper Briley hit a two-run triple to make it 11-9.

Then, relief pitcher Zach Boyd got Austin Adams to ground into a fielder’s choice to second base with the bases loaded to end the game.

Briley led the Indian offense with his second home run of the year, a triple, double, and five RBIs in all.

Meanwhile, freshman Dawson Sorrells pitched 5 2/3 innings for Stephens County, allowing just one run through the first five innings before North Hall got the offense going in the sixth.

With the win, the Indians are now 8-9 overall and 4-3 in the region.

North Hall drops to 11-5 overall and 6-1 in the region after the loss.

The two teams will play again Monday at the Reservation in Toccoa.

First pitch Monday is set for 5:55 p.m. with air time set for 5:45 p.m. on AM 630 WNEG and wnegradio.com.