Greenbrier only team to advance
Greenbrier 6-12, Alexander 1-0
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Alexander's Drew Tedder is tagged out at third by Greenbrier's Brooks Robinson in the second inning of the first game of a double-header on Wednesday. The Wolfpack swept the series and head to the third round of the state playoffs vs. North Forsyth Tuesday at The Brierpatch.
Photo by Jim Blaylock
Greenbrier was the only Columbia County team to advance in the state high school baseball playoffs with a double-header sweep over Alexander on Wednesday.
The AAAA Wolfpack defeated the Cougars 6-1 in Game 1 and 12-0 in Game 2 at The Brierpatch.
"We did a better job of advancing runners in this series than we did in the first series against Troup County," Greenbrier coach Ed Williams said.
"In that first game against Troup I think we stranded seven runners. We didn't do that this time."
Greenbrier (24-2) won the first game on the strength of a series of lead-off homers - Sam Pitts in the second, Rich Poythress in the third and Edward Curtis in the sixth.
A Scott Wandless RBI double in the first gave the Wolfpack their first run. One batter later, an RBI single from Brad Ramsbotham scored Wandless from second base.
Following Pitts' second-inning home run, pitcher Michael Newman made it to first off a miss by Cougar first baseman Ryan Carnley. A Ryan Wallace single to left field put Newman on third. After an Alexander pitching change, Pack shortstop Chris Johnson sacrificed a long fly to center field to score Newman.
Greenbrier's Scott Wandless slides safely into third during the second inning against Alexander High School in the second round of the state playoffs.
Photo by Jim Blaylock
Four pitching changes by Alexander in the second game couldn't stifle the Greenbrier bats. Cougar hurlers gave up 14 hits for 12 runs, including four doubles and a triple.
A Brooks Robinson double in the second brought home Poythress. Robinson found home plate after a Jeremy Armstrong line drive between short and second.
A single to left field by Ramsbotham added two more runs in the third inning. Robinson tripled in the third, setting himself up for a trot home after a wild pitch from Shawn Kimberley.
Alexander relief pitcher Cheves Yeoman committed a costly error when he tried to pick off Poythress at second base and overthrew his defender. Poythress scored from third on a Ramsbotham sacrifice. Yeoman then walked Robinson, who hustled all the way home from first after a double from Pitts.
Sixth-inning doubles from Pitts and Poythress added five more runs to the scoreboard and capped off Greenbrier's victory.
What's Next: The third round of state baseball playoffs continues with a double header on Tuesday at Greenbrier. If the games are split, a deciding game will be held Wednesday.
Greenbrier vs. North Forsyth, near Atlanta, at The Brierpatch.