Lee County splits with Habersham Central in round one

LEESBURG — The Lee County Trojans will face a do-or-die game Thursday afternoon in the first round of the Class 5A state baseball playoffs after splitting a doubleheader with Habersham Central on Wednesday. The Trojans rallied for a 14-5 win in game one, while the Raiders edged out a 2-1 victory in game two to force a deciding third game.

“It was two well-pitched games,” said Lee County Head Coach Wes Shiver. “Unfortunately, we came up on the short end in the second one.”

In game one, Habersham Central jumped out to a 5-0 lead over the first two innings before the Trojans found their rhythm at the plate. Durrah Butler drove a hard ground ball to left field in the bottom of the second to bring in two runs, putting Lee County on the board.

Josh Barnes opened the bottom of the fifth with a solo home run over the right-field fence. Later in the inning, Seth Franklin hit a ground ball that resulted in a Habersham error, allowing Weston Bryan to score and cut the deficit to 5-4.

Lee County then broke the game open in the sixth inning, scoring seven runs before the Raiders could record an out. With the score tied 5-5 and the bases loaded, Bryan was hit by a pitch, giving the Trojans the lead. Cole Lindsy followed with an RBI single, and another run scored on an error off a ball hit by Ethan Powell. Logan Mathis doubled to the center field fence to drive in two more, and Barnes capped the rally with a two-run double to left.

In game two, Habersham Central scored early on a ball down the right-field line that was ruled fair, though Lee County contested the call. The Trojans tied the game in the top of the seventh on an RBI single by Mathis, but the Raiders responded with the game-winning run on a two-out single in the bottom half of the inning.

In the two games Wednesday, catcher Josh Barnes smacked four hits including a home run and two doubles. He knocked in three runs. Durrah Butler knocked in four runs on three hits.

Grayson Spears earned the win on the mound in game one, pitching a complete game. He allowed five runs on 10 hits, walked two, and struck out eight.

Logan Price went the distance for Lee County in game two, giving up two runs on 11 hits. He walked six and struck out three.

The Trojans and Raiders will meet again Thursday in Leesburg to decide who advances to the second round. Game time is 4:30.