The Georgia squad from North Columbus and the Eastern North Carolina team played a close game in an afternoon game Friday with Georgia coming out on top by a final score of 4-1.

Merit Hicks started the scoring when he slide across home plate after a wild pitch bounced past the ENC catcher. Hicks had reached on a single.

The ENC squad knotted the score at 1-1 in the fourth inning.

Georgia went back on top on the fifth when three runs scored for a 4-1 lead.

Alan Taylor started the Georgia rally with a lead-off single. Hicks then drew a walk to put runners on first and second for Trey Manz.

Manz also got a free pass after taking four balls to load the bases for Todd Kramer.

Runs were tough to come by in the game and Kramer got down a squeeze bunt to plate Taylor for a 2-1 lead.

Josh Whitehead followed Kramer in the batting order and also got down a squeeze bunt to plate Hicks.

Georgia was on top 3-1, but Jonathon Hutto wasn't finished.

Hutto came through with an RBI-single for a 4-1 lead.

Georgia starting pitcher Elliott Ogawa went the distance allowing one run on six hits and two walks in seven innings of work. He struck out five in the win.

Ogawa did not go without some tense moments ending the game with a fly out after ENC loaded the bases.

Georgia Manager Craig Taylor said he was happy to get the win against a talented Eastern North Carolina team.

"I feel like we played very solid ball and beat a good team," Taylor said. "I feel fortunate to win.

"They are a very good team," he added. "It was a very close ball game."

Georgia returns to the diamond at 4 p.m. today to play Virginia.

ENC plays again at 7:30 p.m. today against the host Andalusia team.