LaFayette High School athletes posted a strong showing across several sports this week, highlighted by a key region tennis win, a walk-off baseball victory and multiple top-10 finishes for the Rambler fishing team.
On the tennis courts, the Ramblers earned a big 3-2 region win over Adairsville on a frigid Tuesday in Adairsville. Isaac Hamilton and Peyton Lands each battled to three-set singles victories, while the doubles team of Grant Matteson and Marvin Fuentes clinched the match with a straight-set win.
The Lady Ramblers came up short in a 4-1 loss, but the match was much closer than the final score indicated. Three of the five matches went the full three sets, but did not go LaFayette’s way. Coralee Hise picked up the lone victory for the Lady Ramblers.
LaFayette tennis continues region play at home Thursday against Heritage before traveling to Northwest on Friday for a makeup match.
On the diamond, the LaFayette baseball team edged Gilmer 3-2 Tuesday night in dramatic fashion.
Austin Dearing turned in a solid performance on the mound, pitching five innings and allowing just four hits. He also helped his own cause at the plate with two hits. Brodie Underdown followed with two scoreless innings in relief to keep the Ramblers in position for the win.
Cale Sholtz added two singles, including a leadoff hit in the bottom of the seventh that led to a two-base error. Brady Wilson then delivered the walk-off RBI to seal the victory for LaFayette.
The varsity team returns to action Friday at Gilmer, with a doubleheader scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. The junior varsity game at Model scheduled for Wednesday was canceled, and JV is now set to host Christian Heritage on Thursday at 5:30 p.m.
Meanwhile, the Rambler fishing team also made its mark last Saturday at Nickajack Lake, placing three boats in the top 10 of tournament competition.
Andrew Paden turned in LaFayette’s top finish, placing fourth overall with 9.64 pounds while fishing solo. Lucy Losh finished seventh, and the team of Collin Miller and AJ Moyer placed 10th. Also competing for LaFayette were Alex Blas Gonzalez, Maiz Wallin and Drew Harris.