Bulldogs blast their way to final four

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The ECI baseball team completed their third sweep in a best of three series last Wednesday to advance to the final four of the state playoffs.

They sent the Towns Co. team back to Hiawassee, run-ruling the Indians 13-3 in the first game and closed out the sweep in the second game 7-0. The Bulldogs were cooking in all facets of the game. Both starting pitchers, Bryce Kearson and Lawson Mercer went the distance allowing just 10 combined hits and 3 runs. The defense had their eye on the ball committing no errors in the series.

The Bulldogs used the long ball to put runs on the board in both games hitting 5 homeruns. They blistered the Indians’ pitching for 26 hits, outscoring the visitors 20-3.

The Indians couldn’t keep Hudson Henry off the bases. The junior infielder hit two homeruns in the first game with 4 RBI and closed the day with 6 hits during the series.

Others joining Hudson with the long ball during the series were Bryce Kearson, Jacob Durden and PJ Farnum who hit his first career HR for the Bulldogs.The Bulldogs scored in every inning in the leadoff game and left no doubt in the outcome, scoring 7 runs in the bottom of the fifth inning. They added the final run in the sixth to defeat the Indians 13-3. Kearson started on the mound scattering 6 hits while striking out 5 Indian batters. Henry had the hot bat going 4-4 with 2 HR and 4 RBI. Getting 2 hits each during the game were Gabe Lee, Lawson Mercer, Jacob Durden, PJ Farnum and Aden McQuaig. Lawson Mercer got the start in the second game for the Bulldogs. The senior pitched a 4 hit complete game shutout allowing no walks in a 7-0 win for ECI. Kearson led the offense at the plate with 3 hits including a HR and 3 RBI. Henry added two more hits in the second game for 6 during the series.

The Bulldogs will have their first road game in the playoffs this week. Tuesday, yesterday, they traveled to Ellaville to face Schley Co. in the final four series. The Bulldogs and Schley played for the state championship in Ellaville in 2015 with the Wildcats taking both games and the championship. Schley advanced to the final four taking the 3 games series against Wilcox Co., two games to one. Both teams are mirror images of themselves as far as records go.

Schley has a 29-9 season and 12-0 region record scoring 314 runs while allowing 113 playing out of region six. The Bulldogs end the season with a 28-8 season and 12-0 region record, scoring 312 runs while giving up 113 also. Region 3 will have two teams in the final four. Along with the Bulldogs, the number three region seed, McIntosh Co. won their series against Bowdon and will take the short trip to Folkston to face Charlton Co.