The Lumpkin County Indians fall to the North Atlanta Warriors 15-6 in their Home Opener 

By: Noah Johnson

The Lumpkin County Indians hosted the North Atlanta Warriors in their home opener on Valentine’s Day in Dahlonega. Despite a slow start for the Warrior offense, they were able to blowout the Indians at home by a score of 15-6, 11 of those runs coming across the plate in the last three innings. Both teams struggled on the defensive side of the ball, committing three errors each. However, the offense for both teams had great moments; the Indians scored 6 runs on 6 hits while the Warriors racked up 15 runs on 12 hits. The Indians took an early lead in the first inning scoring 4 runs, but could not keep the potent Warrior offense at bay. The Warriors went toe to toe with the Indians over the next few innings, scoring at least one run in every inning besides the fourth. The Warriors put the game out of reach in the top of the seventh inning when they sent 10 men to the plate and scored 6 runs to secure their 15-6 victory over the Indians. 

The Warriors got things started early with a leadoff walk by Jonathan French after battling to a full count. French would be gunned down by Indians catcher Tyler Boggs in the next at-bat as he attempted to steal second. The next two batters reached base on a walk followed by a single setting up first and third with one out and the cleanup hitter Ira Jefferies-Harris at the plate. Jeffries-Harris would reach on an E4 and the runner at third was able to score to give the Warriors the 1-0 lead. The Warriors tacked on one more run in the inning thanks to a sacrifice fly by 

Silas Cunningham. The Indian’s bats responded in the bottom half of the inning, taking advantage of errors made by the Warrior defense, sending six to the plate and scoring 4. The scoring was led by Hayden Gilbert and Dakota Bennet who had a 2-run single and sacrifice fly, respectively. The Indians would take a 4-2 lead heading into the second inning. 

The Warriors began threatening in the second inning with a 1-out triple by Duskin Balch who was brought home on a single by Dillion Harris making the score 4-3 Warriors. The Indians stopped the damage as they retired the next two batters. The Indian’s offense could not get their bats going as the first two batters popped out in the infield followed by a strikeout to send the game to the third inning. 

The Warriors managed to load the bases with one out in the third inning but could only amass one run on a fielder’s choice, however, they did tie the game at 4 a piece. The Indian’s offense continued to be silent as they struck out twice in the inning and were unable to score. 

The Indians held the Warrior offense at bay in the fourth inning by sending the 9-1-2 hitters down in order, keeping the game tied at 4. The Indians managed to score one run in the fourth inning to take a 5-4 lead thanks to a passed ball and an E4, but could not capitalize any further after loading the bases with 2 outs. 

The Warriors took their first lead since the first inning in the fifth thanks to the heart of their lineup. Isaiah Drake led off the inning with a walk and was brought home by the next batter Antonio Anderson who hit a well-placed double to bring in the tying run. Jefferies-Harris would follow by hitting a home run to the right field corner, nearly grazing the foul pole and putting the Warriors up 7-5. The Indians started the bottom half of the fifth by getting a leadoff walk by Gilbert, but he was cut down trying to steal second. The Indians would score one run in the inning to make the score 7-6. 

The Warriors added on in the top of the sixth inning, sending seven to the plate and scoring two runs. Drake led off the inning with a ground ball but hustled to make it to first for an infield single. After a strikeout by Anderson, Jefferies-Harris would work a walk to put runners on first and second with one out. During the next at-bat, Anderson and Jefferies-Harris attempted and succeeded in a double steal to put two in scoring position for Cunningham. Indians pitcher Grant Hallman was able to keep the ball on the ground against Cunningham but had to settle for the out at first as Anderson scored and Jeffries-Harris moved to third. The next batter, John Calame, sliced a double to bring home another run extending the lead to 9-6. Boggs came on in relief of Hallman after the next batter, Walker Stone, was hit by the pitch. Boggs struck out Balch to end the inning and contain the damage. Warriors pitcher Ben Mason took the bump to start the bottom of the sixth and struck out the first two batters he faced. Peyton Wood managed a one-out single but that would be all the Indians would get as the next batter, Gilbert flew out to left field. 

The Warriors put the nail in the coffin at the top of the seventh, tacking on six more runs and batting around in the order. The Indian defense allowed two free passes and balked twice to continue allowing the Warriors to come to the plate. French, Drake, Anderson, Stone, and Harris all drove in a run before the inning ended, making the score 15-6 with only 3 outs to get to win the game on the road. Sam Neal would come on to pitch in the bottom of the seventh looking to close the door and give the Warriors their third win of the year. Neal blew through the first two batters, striking them out and leaving the Indians with one more chance with Mason Hester at the plate. Hester was able to make contact but the ball popped up to second where French made the catch to end the game. The Warriors take the Indian’s season opener with a 15-6 win, making them 3-0 on the season. 

The 0-1 Lumpkin County Indians aim to bounce back as they go over the mountain on Thursday to take on the 0-4 Union County Panthers in Blairsville. The first pitch is set for 5:00 PM. 

3A Area 7 Standings:

Pickens:             2-0

Dawson:            1-0

White:               2-1  

Gilmer:             1-1

Wesleyan:         0-1

West Hall:         0-2

Lumpkin:          0-1