Mill Creek clinches region 7-AAAAA championship
BY KRISTI REED
Mill Creek (17-8, 12-3) clinched the region 7-AAAAA championship this past week after big wins against North Forsyth and Forsyth Central.
The week was not without its disappointments though as the Hawks lost a non-region game to McEachern and suffered their third region loss of the season on Monday.
Mill Creek head coach Doug Jones said his team has not played well defensively during the past few games.
“We’re struggling on defense,” he said. “If we don’t find ourselves quickly, we’re not going to last very long in the playoffs. The teams are too good.”
Though defense remains Jones’ primary concern heading into the playoffs, he said his team is hitting well.
“This time of year you try to focus on positives, but, at the same time you have to understand that if we’re not going to play good defense, we’re not going to win,” he said.
The Hawks end their regular season at home Wednesday night against Peachtree Ridge. The Lions handed Mill Creek its first region loss of the season earlier this month.
Jones said it is important that his team ends the regular season with a win.
“I just hope they’re going to come out with a lot of focus, a lot of passion, and a lot of energy,” he said. “We’ve done a good job at home all year long. You want to have some momentum going into the playoffs. I think they understand the importance of finishing on good note. “
First pitch is scheduled for 5:55 p.m. in Hoschton.
RAIDERS ROUTED
After back-to-back losses to Marist and South Forsyth, the Hawks were looking to get back on track Wednesday night.
“It’s nice to get a win back on the proper side of the column,” said Jones.
The Hawks had 11 hits and 14 runs in the 13-4 thrashing of North Forsyth (14-10, 9-6).
“I thought the kids came out and swung the bats early,” Jones said. “[North Forsyth] got as many hits as we did, but we had a couple leave the park and some very timely two-out hitting.
Johnny Knight was responsible for the majority of the timely hitting. Knight had two home runs and seven RBIs against the Raiders.
Mill Creek jumped ahead early, leading 7-1 at the end of the third. The Raiders picked up a run in the fourth, but Mill Creek answered back when a single by Noah Hanley sent Hunter Pope across home plate.
