The ECI baseball team defeated GSIC in the first round of the state playoffs last Wednesday to advance to the Sweet 16. The Bulldogs swept the Patriots from Hephzibah, winning 10-1 in the first game and 16-1 in the second game of the doubleheader.
In the opening game, the Bulldogs took an early 4-0 lead in the first inning, added three more in the second, and never looked back. ECI tacked on three additional runs to end the game early in the sixth inning. All nine Bulldogs starters recorded at least one hit against the Patriots. Bryson Thompson led the way at the plate with two hits, including his fifth home run of the season, and finished with three RBIs. Jackson Kennedy and Gunner Johnson also had two hits each, while six other Bulldogs accounted for the remaining hits, giving ECI a total of 12 in the game. Jud Underwood went the distance on the mound, allowing just three hits and no walks while striking out 12 batters.
The second game of the series also ended early, with the Bulldogs scoring in every inning to complete the sweep with a 16-1 win in five innings. Jackson Kennedy, Lake Bush, AB Marsh, and Gunner Johnson each recorded two hits in the game. Bryson Thompson pitched the first three innings and delivered another outstanding performance, allowing no hits and no walks while striking out eight Patriots. Tuff Boddiford relieved him in the fourth inning and allowed just one hit while striking out three. Jackson Kennedy closed out the game in the fifth, giving up no hits and striking out two batters.
The Bulldogs will face Taylor County from Butler Ga. in the next round. Taylor County won its best-of-three series against Clinch County, two games to one. Both teams have similar records. The Bulldogs were region champions with a season record of 20-11, 12-2 in region. Taylor Co. comes in as the number 2 seed from region 6 with a 22-10 season and 6-2 record in region play. The Vikings are the lone survivor from region 6 to advance having been matched up with the competitive region 2 in the first round. The Bulldogs’ region 3 will have 4 teams playing in the sweet 16 round.
All four teams from Region 3 advanced to the second round. Along with ECI, number 3 seed Screven County will host number 4 seed Irwin Co. after sweeping Glascock County, Metter swept Johnson County, and will face number one seed Lanier Co. and No. 4 seed Bryan County defeated No. 1 seed GMC 12-0 in the third and deciding game on Thursday and will travel to Folkston to play Charlton Co.
Game times for ECI vs Taylor is Wednesday April 29 with a double header scheduled to start at 3:30 p.m., second game 30 minutes after completion. The if needed game is tapped for Thursday at 3:30 p.m.
