The Raiders continued their late-season ascent with two statement wins over their friendly crosstown foes, while the Crusaders and Falcons' teams each picked up other key victories in last week's local soccer action.
Though they had to steer clear of a hazard in one extra-inning win Friday, the Irish kept trucking with their third, fourth and fifth-straight wins last week to take over the region driver's seat.
The Falcons sprinkled some drama into the region race as they turned the tables on the Gryphons, after being run-ruled by them earlier in the week, with Friday's win in Macon.
Asher Evans hit a solo home run and struck out 11 as the Crusaders defeated Windsor 2-1 in the second game of their series sweep Friday at home.
The Raiders' top runner, following a third-place overall finish at state to wrap up his senior cross country season in November, signed with the Bobcats early last month.
The Raiders, in the throes of a nasty hitting slump, had little luck against a couple of region 2-High A's top hurlers who handed them their second and third losses in four games.
Close to 120 entrants enjoyed great weather and competition during the 46th edition of the long-running event last Saturday and Sunday.
The Crusaders were able to bounce back behind a great performance from Kolbi Grooms with several key hits to take advantage of multiple errors in Tuesday's road win.
The Crusaders and Raiders continued their strong early-season play at a variety of local and statewide events over the past two weeks.
The Crusaders' top shooters had a field day, or two, the Raiders kept up their recent momentum in a few close region matches and the Falcons pulled out two dramatic crosstown wins over the Irish in another active week on local soccer fields.
