MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. — The John Milledge Academy baseball team remains undefeated with only a partial blemish following a Friday faceoff with Augusta Prep and a Monday meeting with Trinity-Dublin.

The Trojans (9-0-1) defeated the Cavaliers 12-5 and tied the Crusaders 3-3, both at home.

Augusta Prep got to JMA starting pitcher Peyton Massey early on by scoring five runs in the first two innings, but Massey did some significant damage when his spot in the order came up in the bottom of the first frame. With runners on second and third and two outs, the pitcher/second baseman connected with a pitch that flew over the fence in left-center field for a homerun that gave the Trojans a 3-1 advantage after one inning.

Fast forward to the bottom of the fifth inning and the score knotted at five runs apiece, Jacob Prestwood drove in a run the hard way after being hit by a pitch with the bases loaded that broke the tie. The same thing would happen to Tyler Bass before Trevor Evans came to the plate and burned Augusta Prep’s left fielder for a bases-clearing double that broke the game wide open. The Trojans took advantage of some shaky Cavalier pitching that totaled six free passes in the fifth inning.

“It’s another win, and that’s ultimately the goal,” said JMA head coach Justin Mills. “Augusta Prep’s improving each and every year, so we knew we couldn’t come in here and take them lightly and that they were going to give us a good ballgame. It was a good ballgame for a good part of the game there, but our guys swung the bats well today, did good at the plate, and scored enough runs to win so we’re excited about that. The bats are kind of hot right now, so we’re riding that wave.”

Colton Brewer came on in relief of Massey in the third and really fulfilled his duties through the rest of the contest. He pitched five innings of relief with six strikeouts, and never allowed any real threat to the Trojan lead. He got in a groove, worked quickly, and was credited with the win for his efforts.

“Brewer was very effective,” Mills said. “He’s very efficient. He pounds the zone, and if you want to stand up there and watch it he’s going to strike you out. He’s fun to watch and his tempo is a lot of fun. It’s good for the guys behind him when you’ve got somebody on the mound with tempo like that throwing strikes — it’s easy to play defense behind him.”

John Milledge had a bit of a tougher test when the Trinity Crusaders came calling Monday afternoon. Brewer was on the mound to start the game, and got in some trouble early on but managed to keep Trinity scoreless through two innings of work.

The Trojans got on the board in the third when Cole Wilson doubled home a pair of runs after Trinity’s Brit Evans issued a couple of free passes. The visiting Crusaders took the lead in the fifth after a single, walk, and two doubles gave them three runs at the hands of Massey who had come in to pitch.

Things got a little hairy in the bottom of the sixth after Andrew Prestwood and Brandon Bellflower each posted singles to threaten the Trinity lead. With runners on first and third and one out Bass came to the plate to try and at least tie the game. He hit a grounder to the second baseman that looked to be a tailor-made 4-6-3 double play, but the field umpire ruled that the shortstop missed the bag before throwing to first to get Bass out. Instead of an inning-ending double play, the Trojans had tied the ballgame at 3-3.

Mills brought Trevor Evans in to pitch the top of the seventh, and the senior made quick work of the Crusaders with a pair of strikeouts and a groundout.

A leadoff walk to Dawson Huff in the bottom of the seventh proved to be harmless as he was eventually caught trying to steal second base. The Trinity pitcher struck out the remaining two batters resulting in the tie between non-region opponents.

“I thought we played well overall as a team,” Mills said following the tie. “We’ve got to put a few more hits together and get runners in scoring position or guys on first and get them over and in. Trinity’s a good ball team. They’ve improved a lot, and they’re going to be pretty good. They’re going to make a deep run in the playoffs more than likely. For a non-region competition we’d like to win the game obviously, but the main thing is staying healthy and staying positive.”

The Trojans return to region play Thursday as they host the Gatewood Gators. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m.