Semifinals are tonight (Monday) in classes AAAAAA through AA. Here's a look at the final four in AAA. It's Blessed Trinity at Westside-Augusta and Jefferson at Westminster.
Westside-Augusta
Westside pitcher Jonathan Jahn, who has committed to South Carolina, has a 0.00 ERA in three playoff starts. He’s allowed one run (unearned) and 11 hits in 19 innings. He’s struck out 23 – 15 of which came in the 2-0 victory over Hart County in the quarterfinals last week. Westside is in the semifinals for the first time since 2005. The team has made the quarterfinals the past three years but broke through last week with a 2-0, 2-3, 9-3 victory over Hart County.
Blessed Trinity
Blessed Trinity has allowed two runs in its six playoff games. Brad Spinner has allowed one run in 17 innings and given up eight hits. He pitched a six-inning one-hit shutout in a 6-0 victory over Oconee County in the semifinals. Hayden Lehman has allowed one run and 12 hits in 14 innings. He threw a three-inning no-hitter in a 19-0 victory over Hephzibah in the first round.
Westminster
Westminster is having its best three-year run in over 10 years. The Wildcats are in the semifinals for the third straight year. They made the finals in 2013 but haven’t won a state title since 1975. Five hitters have stood out just a little more than the others in the playoffs. First baseman Armaan Painter is 11-for-23 with two doubles. Right fielder Connor Stutts is 7-for-2- with a triple. Designated hitter Dalton Light is 9-for-19 with a double. Third baseman Rankin Woley is 7-for-23 with two doubles and a homer. Pitcher/outfielder Will Benson is 6-for-12 with a homer.
Jefferson
Jefferson is in the semifinals for the first time since 2007. The Dragons have beaten region champions Pierce County and Callaway along the way. Against Callaway in the quarterfinals, Jefferson won the opener 5-3 in 11 innings. Asher Standridge pitched five shutout innings in relief. Ethan Garner pitched a three-hit shutout in Game 2, a 3-0 victory. Jefferson had only one hit of its own in that game.
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