No. 23 Hart County Completes Rivalry Sweep Over Elbert County
February 25, 2021
Hart Count, GA - Following a win in game-one of the season series vs. heated rival Elbert County, GA Power-24 No. 23 Hart County looked to protect their home field on Wednesday. Clemson commit, Casey Tallent (2021), got the start for the Bulldogs, and things were a little bumpy early on. Defensive mistakes, along with some timely hitting for Elbert County, resulted in Tallent giving up one run in each of the first three innings. Tallent would settle in, going 5 ⅓ IP, while only allowing one more baserunner.
Southern Union Commit, Will Dean (2021), had himself another impressive night at the plate tallying two hits, one of which was an absolute laser to right field for a 2-run home run that added onto Hart’s early lead.
Trying to rebound, following their first loss of the season on Tuesday night, Elbert County called on members of their senior class to try and capture a win in game-two against Hart County. Clay Conrad (2021) got the start for the Blue Devils, and was able to match Tallent’s performance through the first four innings. The Uncommitted Conrad used location to keep hitters off-balance. Running his fastball between 71-74 MPH, and mixing in an effective breaking ball at 63-64, Conrad was able to keep the Blue Devils in the game.
Uncommitted Carter Dye (2021), was a few feet from having himself a historic night. In his first at-bat the 6-2, 220 pound Dye turned around 89 MPH for a loud double off the bottom of the fence in right center. The Blue Devils followed that with two balls that were caught, up against the fence, in both the 5th and 8th innings.
To say things got interesting in the 6th inning of this game would be an understatement. Elbert County was able to push across a run in the top-half of the 6th inning to bring the score to 6-4. Following a quiet bottom half for Hart County, Elbert was able to spark a rally with two more runs coming home, to force the game into extra innings.
Hart County threatened to end the game in the bottom of the 8th inning when catcher, Riley Posey (2023), lined a ball into the right centerfield gap that was tracked down by Elbert’s Ian Warwick. Elbert County stranded seven runners on base during the extra frames, including having the bases loaded in the top of the 9th with only one out. Hart County was able to finally prevail, as Tallent, once again, delivered in the clutch, reaching on an infield single with two outs to help the Bulldogs walk it off against Blue Devils, 7-6.
This long-time rivalry did not disappoint, creating two of the best atmospheres for a regular season series that you will see all year. #23 Hart County will be back in action again on Saturday (2/27) against Washington-Wilkes High School. Elbert County will take the field again on Thursday (2/25) against a talented Athens Christian team.