Indians Fall at Cherokee Bluff

The Cherokee Bluff Bears, the state’s number three AAA baseball team this week, topped the Stephens County Indians 7-1 Friday night in Flowery Branch.

The Indians struck first with a single by Ayden Garmon and an RBI single by Ben Stowe in the top of the first inning. Cherokee Bluff answered in the bottom half of the inning with three runs. The Bears loaded the bases and Caleb Piland ripped a double to right center field, clearing the bases. Piland was thrown out trying to stretch the hit into a triple.

Cherokee Bluff scored four more runs in the fourth inning on two hits, three walks and a hit batter.

Ayden Garmon pitched the first three innings for the Indians, giving up five runs, striking out four and walking three. Cruz Mullinix entered the game in the fourth inning and gave up two runs, striking out three and walking four. Patrick Murray dazzled the Bears in his relief effort, giving up a bunt single in the fifth inning, then striking out five hitters in a row.

Stephens County falls to 5-6 on the season while Cherokee Bluff improves to 8-3.

The Indians begin Region 8-AAA action Tuesday in Carnesville against Franklin County .Game time will be 5:45 P.M. and air time on WNEG Radio will be 5:30 P.M.