The Gilmer High Lady Cats endured their first region loss of the season.
Gilmer hosted Lumpkin County last Tuesday, and the visiting Indians had just enough at the end. LCHS broke the tie in the top of the seventh and Gilmer’s comeback fell just short in a 6-5 defeat.
GHS traveled to North Hall Monday and disposed of the Trojans to get back to their winning ways, 6-1.
Back-to-back doubles in the first gave Lumpkin an early 1-0 lead. The Cats, who are ranked No. 9 in Class 3A, responded in the third. Makenzie Taylor singled to lead off the inning and scored when Jocelyn Birko reached base on an error.
Birko raced home when Maddie Wright grounded out, and the Cats held a one-run edge.
A two-out error allowed Lumpkin to tie the game in the fifth, 2-2. Four more runs came in the seventh. LCHS had five hits in the inning, a sacrifice fly and took advantage of one Lady Cat error to surge ahead, 6-2.
GHS cut the margin to 6-4 when Wright knocked in a pair of runs with a two-out triple. She then scored on a passed ball as the Cats drew within one. However, a pop out to center ended the rally and Lumpkin claimed the win.
Macy Hamby started and pitched 6 1/3 innings for GHS. She gave up seven hits, two earned runs and struck out six while walking one.
Lady Cat Zoey Woody tossed 2/3 of an inning and allowed two hits.
Taylor had two hits on the day while Jacie Bennett, Jasmine Staley and Wright all had one each.
Against North Hall Monday, Taylor’s RBI single in the second gave GHS a quick lead. North Hall responded with a solo home run in its half of the inning, and Gilmer snatched the lead back in the third.
GHS loaded the bases when Staley singled, Wright doubled and Hamby drew a walk. Taylor Elliott was hit by a pitch to give the Cats a 2-1 edge.
Alexis Sirmans drove in two runs with a fielder’s choice two batters later to move GHS ahead, 4-1.
Gilmer’s next run crossed home plate when Hamby flew out in the fourth. The Cats added a sixth run off a one-out double by Wright in the sixth.
GHS collected 10 hits on the day, and Wright led the way with three and Staley had two.
Woody tossed the first five innings and gave up two hits, an earned run and struck out one and walked one. Hamby pitched two innings and struck out three and allowed three hits.
Gilmer is 14-4 overall and hosted White County at press deadline, and Union County will come to town Thursday for a 6 p.m. game.