GAYLESVILLE - Ryan Messer and Grant Benefield both went 2 for 3 and scored a pair of runs apiece to the lead the Class 1A, No. 5 Spring Garden Panthers to a 12-2 victory in six innings at Area 14 rival Gaylesville Thursday.

Will Ivey, Jake Grogan, Will Westbrook and Josh Hale all added hits for the Panthers (10-4, 5-0).

Westbrook also picked up the win on the mound after tossing all six innings. He allowed two runs on three hits with six strikeouts.

Spring Garden plays at Cherokee County on Friday beginning at 4:30 p.m.

Softball

Cedar Bluff 10, Valley Head 0

CEDAR BLUFF - The Cedar Bluff Lady Tigers improved to 4-0 (2-0 area play) on the season Thursday with a 10-0 victory over Area 14 rival Valley Head.

Destinie Grace had a pair of hits to pace the Lady Tigers. She had a triple, a RBI and scored three runs. Katie McGinnis had two hits with a RBI and a run. Paige Bryant, Jennifer Garmon and Kaitlyn Kilgro also had two hits apiece. One of Garmon's hits was a triple. Bryant and Kilgro drove in two runs apiece.

Kilgro also picked up the win in the circle. She pitched all five innings and allowed just two hits.

Cedar Bluff plays in the Cherokee Invitational against Gaylesville on Friday.