Top 10 games to watch in Georgia high school baseball: Houston County faces tough Alabama team

The Bears have scored 33 runs in their first three games, but will face another hot offense in Hartselle, Alabama.

By Darren Nichols | Photo by Willie Prince

The high school baseball season is underway in Georgia.

Here are the top 10 games to watch this week, including two tonight.

10. Metter (0-3) @ Cavalry Day (2-1), 6 p.m. Tuesday

Metter is the reigning Class A Public state champions, but has gotten off to a rough start in 2022. The Tigers have given up 21 runs while only scoring six. But any team would be crazy to underestimate the talent Metter has in its lineup. Cavalry Day’s bats have been hot so far, led by Brandon Exley and Caden Arnold. The Cavaliers have been a nightmare for opposing pitchers.

9. Blessed Trinity (0-2) @ North Paulding (1-2), 5 p.m. Tuesday

Blessed Trinity and North Paulding have gotten off to undesirable starts to the season after the outstanding seasons each had last year. There is a lot of season left to get on track, and one of these two teams could use this game to get jump-started against a good opponent. Blessed Trinity has been able to muster up one run in two games, while North Paulding has given up 20 runs in three games. 

8. Denmark (1-0) @ Cherokee Bluff (3-0), 5:55 Monday

Both teams are coming into this matchup with supreme confidence at the plate, Cherokee Bluff has 21 runs in three games, while Denmark drove in 11 runs versus Dunwoody. Expect a high-scoring, action-packed affair featuring these two offenses. 

7. Decatur (2-1) @ Cartersville (2-0), 5:30 p.m. Wednesday

Decatur and Cartersville are two teams that barely missed out on the preseason edition of the top 25 but are immensely talented ball clubs. Cartersville has shown that by scoring 20 runs in two games and taking down top 10-ranked Lassiter. Decatur scored 13 runs in its most recent win over Providence Christian, and if Cartisville’s pitching isn’t careful, it could find itself in the same position. 

6. Glynn Academy (3-0) @ Benedictine (2-1), 5:35 p.m. Tuesday

Benedictine was one of the best teams in 4A last season, but each team must prove itself each season. While Benedictine is 2-1, the pitching has suffered in its last two games, allowing 17 runs. Glynn Academy has scored 30 runs in three games and 25 in its last two. If Benedictine can’t get things sorted out on the mound, then Glynn Academy could take advantage and have some fun on the scoreboard. 

5. North Oconee (3-0) @ Lassiter (2-2), 5 p.m. Friday

North Oconee came out of the gates hot, with two wins over top 25 opponents Marist and North Hall, and then taking down cross-county rival Oconee County by a score of 10-0. Lassiter will have its hands full but has shown it can play with a big-time win over former No. 2 Parkview. 

4. Cherokee (2-1) vs. Parkview (1-1), 6:30 p.m. Friday

Cherokee is coming off a dominant 9-1 victory over St. Pius. The Warriors are building off last year’s 20-win season and are looking good so far this season. Parkview is one of the most talented teams in the state, coming in our initial top 25 at No. 2. The Panthers will look to bounce back after their loss to Lassister. 

3. North Hall (2-1) @ North Forsyth (4-0), 5 p.m. Tuesday

North Hall is the reigning 3A state champs and brought back a good amount of talent, and has some good young talent as well. North Hall will travel to a smoking-hot North Forsyth team, which has scored 33 runs in four games while allowing two. North Forsyth will start to get a lot of statewide recognition if it takes down the reigning champ and improves to 5-0. 

2. Wesleyan (1-1) @ Grayson (1-0), 5:45 p.m. Monday

Grayson will get into its second game after a 10-6 win over Walnut Grove in its opener. The Rams will face a highly talented Wesleyan team led by super slugger Druw Jones, who already has two home runs in as many games. 

1. Houston County (3-0) vs. Hartselle (Alabama) (3-0), 7 p.m. Friday

This matchup will showcase two of the top teams in their respective states. Although it's early in the season, Houston County is looking to be one of the best teams in the state, currently at No. 2 on our top 25. The Bears have scored 33 runs in their first three games, but will face another hot offense in Hartselle, which is coming off one of its best seasons, winning 26 games.