Top 10 games to watch in Georgia high school baseball: Big region matchups dot the state this week

In a week full of region matchups between top teams, undefeated Allatoona at Lassiter stands out most.

Here are the top 10 matchups this week.

10. Pierce County (9-0) vs. Lowndes (7-4), 5 p.m. Tuesday

Pierce County is firing on all cylinders, having scored 74 runs while allowing only 23. In the Bears' last eight games, no opponent has scored over four runs. Lowdnes will try to extinguish Pierce County’s hot strike while simultaneously getting back on track. The Vikings started the season winning five of its first six games, but now they have lost three of their last five. 

9. Pope (8-6) vs. Kell (10-3), 5:55 p.m. Monday

Pope entered the season in our top 25 and stayed there after a 4-0 start, but has gone 4-6 since. Kell started the season very much under the radar, but started the season winning five of its first six and has again won five of its last six. Kell is already 3-0 in region play, while Pope is 1-1 and trying to get back in the thick of things.

8. Calhoun (10-2) vs. Cartersville (7-3), 5:55 p.m. Tuesday

Calhoun and Cartersville will open up region play against each other Tuesday. At this point in the season, it looks like these are the two favorites to win Region 7-Class 5A. Calhoun jumped out to a hot start, winning its first nine games, but has lost two of its last three. Cartersville is rolling, winning four of its last five. This should be a great series featuring formidable region opponents.

7. Woodstock (8-3) vs. Roswell (8-3), 6:15 p.m. Tuesday

Woodstock and Roswell will match up in their only series of the season. This series is important for both squads, being that they are in one of the tougher regions with Etowah and Cherokee. Woodstock will look to extend its win streak past five games, while Roswell will look to start a win streak of its own.

6. South Effingham (8-3) vs. Long County (11-0), 6 p.m. Tuesday

Long County is one of the few unbeaten schools left. Some of its wins are against Metter, Pickens and Gainesville. But South Effingham will be a tough matchup for undefeated Long County. South Effingham is coming off of a hard-fought series against Glynn Academy and winning only one of three. The Mustangs will look to get back to their winning ways and serve Long County its first loss.

5. Greenbrier (8-2) vs. Loganville (9-2), 5:55 p.m. Friday

Another matchup between top 25 opponents. This will be Greenbrier’s second game against a top 25 opponent, the first coming in a loss to Savannah Christian. Since then Greenbrier has won six of its last seven. This will also be Loganville’s second game against a top 25 opponent, but the Red Devils won their matchup 12-1 over Savannah Christian and have played some talented Alabama programs. 

4. Houston County (10-2) vs. Valdosta (10-2), 6 p.m. Friday

Houston County will face off against Valdosta in its first region bout of the season. The Bears are the No. 2 team in the all-classification SBLive Top 25 and have driven in double-digits runs during their current five-game win streak. But Houston County will have its hands full with Valdosta, a team that has won eight straight games. A win for Valdosta here will garner statewide attention and put it in the category with some of the top teams in the state. 

3. Richmond Hill (10-2) vs. Glynn Academy (11-1), 6 p.m. Wednesday

Richmond Hill has been on a tear after dropping its first two games to start the season. The Wildcats have defeated Woodstock, Ware County, Greenbrier and completed a 3-0 series sweep of region opponent Brunswick. Glynn Academy has been dominant as well, starting the season out on a 10-game win streak. This will be a great region matchup between top 25 opponents.

2. Lambert (10-3) vs. South Forsyth (8-2), 6:15 p.m. Monday

Lambert and South Forsyth will finish their series Monday with Lambert winning the first matchup Friday. Lambert’s win added to its five-game win streak, while South Forsyth’s win streak was snapped at eight. With a competitive region that includes West Forsyth, Denmark and North Forsyth, region wins are a must.

1. Allatoona (11-0) vs. Lassiter (10-3), 5:55 p.m. Monday

These are two top 10 teams with top-tier talent going head to head in the same region. You can’t ask for a better game to watch. Allatoona has been unbelievable thus far, scoring 97 runs while allowing only 27. Lassiter has shown it comes to play when the lights are brightest, with wins over Parkview, North Oconee, Walton, Pace (Florida) and Florida Christian.