Florala earned its fifth win of the season Thursday night narrowly escaping with a 7-6 victory over Laurel Hill in eight innings.

In its first game of the night, the Wildcats (5-12) defeated McKenzie 15-2 in five innings.

Florala boys 7,

Laurel Hill boys 6

Down 6-5 in the bottom of the eighth inning, Florala came back in dramatic fashion to win a back and fourth ball game.

John Bess led the inning off by being hit by a pitch, Jonathan Burleson followed and hit into a fielders choice, while Zac Fleming reached on an infield error.

Freshmen Gavin McCurley stepped to the plate with one out and delivered a game-tying single to right.

With runners at first and third, the Wildcats executed a first-and-third play, and the pitcher balked in the winning run.

“I am proud of the way our boys played,” Florala coach Stan Gooden said. “They played for each other and came together as a team. “We have played a lot of baseball so far, and we are starting to see improvement every day.”

Fleming had two singles and three runs; McCurley had one single and one run; Erik Vega had one single, one double and one run; Rowell had one run; Parker had one single; and Bess had one single.

Florala boys 15, McKenzie boys 2

Fleming finished with one double and two runs; McCurley had one single and two runs; Vega had two doubles and two runs; Hunter Oswald had three walks and three runs; Goodwin had one double, one single and two runs; Hunter Hughes had one single; Jordan Rowell had one single; Jonathan Burleson had one double, one tripe and one run; Bess had one run; Rowell had one run; and Parker had one run.

Fleming earned the win on the mound pitching four innings, allowing four walks, one hit and had four strikeouts. Vega earned the save with three strikeouts and one walk.

Florala girls 7,

McKenzie girls 3

In girls action, the Florala Lady Wildcats earned their first area win of the season Thursday night defeating McKenzie 7-3 at home.

Alicia Morgan earned the win for the Lady Wildcats and Ashley Christian got the save.

“We did some great things (Thursday night) with some key hitting and base running,” Florala coach Roger Hammonds said.

In junior varsity action, the Lady Wildcats routed McKenzie 16-7.

“The bats really came alive,” Hammonds said. “I have seen some hitting (Thursday night) from some girls that we haven’t seen all season.”

Kendyl McDaniel, Lindsey Hammac and Bailey Rickett all had singles. Keerie Kimbril had a double and Brooke Hammonds had a triple.

Rickett earned the win on the mound for the Lady Wildcats.

Florala’s junior varsity team will host a tournament today beginning at 9 a.m. at the FHS softball field.

Red Level and Paxton will also participate.