The Gilmer Bobcats were set to play a pair of nonregion baseball games last week but heavy rains cut that in half.
GHS hosted Union County Monday, and a five-run third inning put the Panthers ahead, and they held off the Bobcats over the reminder of the game for an 8-5 victory.
Gabe Wolfson led off the second inning with a double for GHS and later scored when Colton Nunn grounded out.
Union did most of its damage in the third and fourth innings. The Panthers plated five runs in the third. Gilmer did allow an unearned run, hit a batter and walked another with the bases full.
UCHS also belted three hits in the inning, which included a double and a two-run bases loaded single.
Union led 5-1 entering the fourth where the Panthers loaded the bases following an error, single and walk. A fielder’s choice added a run and eventual sacrifice fly made the score 7-1 in Union’s favor.
GHS scored an unearned run in its half of the fourth, and tacked on three more runs in the fifth. A bases loaded single by Wolfson scored the Cats’ third run. A pair of consecutive wild pitches allowed Branson Teague and Spencer Merritt to race home.
Gilmer was held in check over its last two at-bats, and Union added a final run in the seventh.
Carter Jones started on the mound for GHS and pitched three innings. He gave up four earned runs, five hits, struck out one and walked two. Jess Buckner tossed the next thee innings. He surrendered one earned run, a hit and a walk.
Teague pitched the seventh inning and allowed an earned run off a hit and two walks. He also led GHS offensively with three hits while Wolfson collected two.
GHS has a 3-8 overall record. The Cats will continue region play this week at West Hall Wednesday and at home Friday with both games set to start at 5:55 p.m.