Here’s a class-by-class look at the state baseball playoffs. Two semifinal series will be finished Wednesday – Kennesaw Mountain vs. Walton (AAAAAA) and Westminster vs. Jefferson (AAA).
Later this week, we’ll have previews of each of the five championship series that begin Saturday.
Class AAAAAA
Parkview has gone through the state playoffs 8-0, allowing only 10 runs. The Panthers are ranked No. 1 nationally by MaxPreps. Parkview won state titles in 2011 and 2012 (also 1996, 2001, 2002) and can become the first school since Evans in 1994 to win three titles in the highest class over a five-year span. Parkview swept Pope 3-2, 12-3 this week. Neither had lost a playoff game coming in. Parkview trailed 2-1 entering the bottom of the eighth but got sacrifice flies from Johnathn Whitmer and Will Etheridge to win it. Austin Biggar (2-for-4) doubled to lead off the inning and set things into motion. Trevor Brown was 4-for-4 with five runs scored in Game 2. Brandon Hill was 2-for-4 with a double, home run and four RBI. Parkview's opponent will be the Walton-Kennesaw Mountain winner.
Update: Walton beat Kennesaw Mountain 5-4 on Wednesday to reach the final. Chris Hummel pitched a complete game. Walton's Jason Rooks hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the sixth inning to give Walton its 5-4 lead.
Class AAAAA
Gainesville lost in the semfinals in 2012 and 2014 but broke through with a sweep of Jones County this week. Jonathan Gettys hit a home run and was the winning pitcher in Game 1, striking out seven batters in the 4-3 win. Caleb Whitenton went 2-for-4 and homered in Game 2 and also pitched four strong innings, allowing one earned run. Gainesville has won seven state titles in its history, most recently in 2002. Greenbrier has won five state titles, the most recent in 2007, and has been in the state finals three of the past four seasons. Greenbrier swept Allatoona 5-0, 8-6. In Game 2, Greenbrier trailed 5-0 entering the seventh inning and won in 11 innings.
Class AAAA
Whitewater was a state runner-up in 2014 and 2011 but is looking for its first state title. Buford won in 2011. Buford is 8-0 in the playoffs, winning by an average score of 8.5 to 1.1. In the 10-0, 10-3 sweep of Cartersville in the semifinals, Justin Glover pitched a five-inning shutout and was 3-for-5 with a double in the series. Austin Wilhite was 5-for-6 with two doubles, four runs and four RBI. Whitewater swept Vetrans 1-0, 5-1. In Game 1, Whitewater didn't have a hit until the eighth inning. Whitewater's own starter, Jake Lee, had a no-hitter into the sixth and struck out 11. Game 2 winner Ethan Gillis struck out 10.
Class AAA
Blessed Trinity is the only defending champion in contention this weekend. (King's Ridge Christian defended its title earlier this week in Class A private.) Blessed Trinity has allowed only four runs in its 8-0 playoff run. Jackson Svete pitched a one-hitter, striking out six, in the 6-0 victory over Westside-Augusta that clinched the semifinal series sweep. The Titans will play the Jefferson-Westminster winner.
Update: Jefferson beat Westminster 5-2 on Wednesday in Game 3 to advance to the championship series. Jake Franklin pitched a complete game, allowing no earned runs. Third baseman Christian Hutch and second baseman Micah Carpenter each went 2-for-3.
Class AA
Wesleyan, a semifinalist last season, is moving in on its first state title since 2010. Wesleyan swept Fitzgerald 10-0, 4-3 in the semifinals. Andrew Sauer threw a two-hit shutout (nine strikeouts) in Game 1. Wesleyan scored two in the seventh inning, rallying from a 3-2 deficit, to win Game 2. Christian Stark opened the inning with a homer, and Will Collins' double scored the go-ahead run. Darlington won its only state title in 1984. Darlington beat Rabun County 5-2, 12-2 in the semifinals. Catcher Drake Frix (4-for-5, double) and pitcher/DH Jay Shadday (4-for-7, double) were the top hitters in the series. Second baseman Burton Dulaney hit a grand slam to break a 1-1 tie in the fifth inning of the 5-2 victory.
Class A
King's Ridge Christian (private) and Schley County (public) won state titles earlier this week. King's Ridge beat Hebron Christian in walk-off fashion. Schley County swept Emanuel County Institute.
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