RINGGOLD, Ga. - A couple of days can make a world of difference in a tight baseball race.
In Georgia Region 6-AAA, for instance, Ringgold went from outright league leader to tied for first to back in first alone.
Thursday's 5-3 win over Coahulla Creek on Andre Tarver's walk-off three-run homer, coupled with Calhoun's 5-2 win over North Murray, lifted Ringgold (21-5, 12-2) back into first place. Coahulla Creek (17-8, 11-3) and North Murray (16-6, 11-3) will break the tie for second when they meet today in Varnell.
"It's crazy," Tarver, the sophomore Mississippi State recruit, said after his two-out towering shot over the center-field fence. "I didn't expect that to happen, but we needed it badly. I was looking for a fastball, but it worked out that they gave me a curveball and I adjusted. This helps a lot, and now we have a shot at the title."
The Tigers were coming off a 1-0 loss Tuesday at North Murray, giving the Mountaineers a season sweep and a clear path to the region title. Now it's Ringgold's title to win after completing a sweep of the Colts, who led 2-0 after three and 3-2 entering the bottom of the seventh after Tanner Cronan's solo homer in the top half of the inning.
Ringgold's comeback started with a one-out single by Nathan Camp and a walk to Holden Tucker. Rhett Baldwin, who earlier homered to tie the game, flew out to deep right field before Tarver unloaded for the game-winner.
"We went 10 scoreless innings and you could feel the pressure in the dugout and in the park at the beginning of the game," Ringgold coach Brent Tucker said. "After getting two on with our two power guys coming up everybody in the park was thinking three-run homer - I know I was - and I felt good about one of those two guys doing it."
Calhoun's win keeps the Yellow Jackets (14-10, 9-5) one game up on Haralson County (14-11, 8-6) in the race for the No. 4 playoff berth.
The drama isn't limited to Region 6-AAA. Each of the other four area regions will decide its champion over the next five days. Here's a closer look at each:
Region 6-AAAAAA
Dalton (19-6, 11-3) split with Harrison (18-6, 10-2) this week, but Thursday's 8-3 loss to the Hoyas put the Catamounts in third place. However, they host first-place Allatoona (24-2, 11-1) in the first of a home-and-away series today with a shot at least of gaining the No. 2 playoff seed with a sweep. Anything less likely results in a No. 3 or possibly No. 4 seed as River Ridge (18-7, 9-3) closes in.
Region 6-AAAA
Northwest Whitfield (15-8, 11-2) has the upper hand heading into the final days, having taken two of three against Heritage (20-6, 11-3) earlier. Northwest's Bruins, who missed the playoffs last season, have ridden a strong pitching staff to the top of the league and need only to take care of business against LaFayette (doubleheader today) and Ridgeland next week to secure the title.
Heritage, after defeating Gilmer on Thursday, needs two wins in its final four games (at Gilmer today and a three-game set with LaFayette next week) to earn the No. 2 seed and home playoff series that goes with it. Pickens is third, followed by Gilmer.
Region 7-AA
Rockmart (15-9, 10-1) appeared to have things sewn up until Dade County (14-6, 10-3) got hot. The Wolverines have won 10 consecutive games and have only a Tuesday game against Chattooga left in league play. Dade split with Rockmart and third-place Pepperell (10-15, 8-3).
The Wolverines have an outside shot at the title but need Rockmart to lose at least two of its final three to create a tie. Dade can, however, clinch second with a win and one loss by Pepperell.
Region 6-A
Though the Class A playoffs are set by state power rankings, a region championship guarantees a top-eight seed and first-round playoff bye. Gordon Lee, 17-4 and No. 1 in the public school ratings after winning the North subregion title, will face South winner King's Ridge (15-5) in a three-game set beginning with a home Wednesday doubleheader (5 p.m.) to determine the region champion.
The Trojans, however, will have to do so without ace pitcher Chaney Rogers, who underwent Tommy John surgery Thursday. Coach Mike Dunfee said the University of Georgia is honoring its scholarship and that the left-hander is still being considered in the upcoming major league draft.
"He's going to come back stronger and we'll be watching him someday on TV," Dunfee said. "It's a shame he couldn't enjoy his senior year, but he's special and isn't through by any means. A lot of pitchers go through this now in high school and come out better."
Also in Region 6-A, 14th-ranked Trion will make the 24-team public school field with hopes of hosting a first-round series.
Contact Lindsey Young at lyoung@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6296. Follow him on Twitter @youngsports22