Sports

Capsules

GISA AAA

Deerfield-Windsor School

• Seed: Region 3, No. 1.
• Record: 17-1.
• Top pitcher: Justin Lott (5-0).
• Top hitter: Lott (.540, 38 RBI).
• Opponent: Augusta Prep (Region 4, No. 4).
• When/Where: Today 6:30 p.m.; Sat. 12:00 p.m. at DWS (DH if necessary).
• Game analysis: Augusta Prep is a young group of free swingers, while Deerfield is a model of consistency with over 200 hits and only 71 strikeouts at the plate. The combination of DWS' power pitching and consistency at the plate could overmatch Augusta Prep.
• X-factor: With DWS sights set on bigger things, like a GISA championship, the Knights have to stay focused and take it one series at a time. Augusta Prep has played a challenging schedule so they will not be intimidated.
• If win: Will play the winner of George Walton and Mount de Sales on May 16.

Southland Academy

• Seed: Region 3, No. 2.
• Record: 13-7.
• Top pitchers: Michael Swain (6-1, 3.10); Will Webb (2.22); Ray Lamb (4-1).
• Top hitters: Adam Fussell (.423, 5 HR); Swain (.365).
• Opponent: Pinewood Christian (Region 4, No. 3).
• When/Where: Today at 4:30 p.m. at Southland; Sat. at Noon (DH) (if necessary).
• Game analysis: Southland lives by the old adage, "defense wins championships."
• X-factor: Momentum. After seemingly losing it after a heartbreaking loss to Deerfield-Windsor for the region title, the Raiders won in dramatic fashion Tuesday against Trinity Christian.
• If win: Will play the winner of North Cobb Christian and First Presbyterian Day on May 16.

GISA Class AA

Randolph Southern

• Seed: Region 3, No. 2.
• Record: 14-8.
• Top pitcher: Matt Houston (5-2, 2.00 ERA).
• Top hitter: Cole Taylor (.460, 5 HR, 31 RBI).
• Opponent: Griffin Christian (Region 4, No. 3).
• When/Where: Today 4 p.m. at Randolph Southern; Sat. 1 p.m. (DH if necessary).
• Game analysis: One through nine in Randolph Southern's lineup can hit as they average eight runs per game and when they get on base, they'll run.
• X-factor: If the Patriots can throw strikes and avoid walks, pitching can hold Griffin Christian down.
• If win: Will play the winner of Piedmont and Bulloch Academy on May 16.

SW Georgia Academy

• Seed: Region 3, No. 4.
• Record: 13-8.
• Top pitcher: Drew Bridges (4-3, 2.96 ERA).
• Top hitter: Bridges (.452).
• Opponent: Heritage (Region 4, No. 1).
• When/Where: Today 4 p.m. at Heritage; Sat. 12 p.m. (DH if necessary).
• Game analysis: Heritage comes into the series with an 18-1 record, a balanced lineup and two dominant pitchers. Meanwhile, SGA is hoping to get runners on base to utilize their speed.
• X-factor: SGA's speed. No matter how good the pitcher is, there is nothing more annoying than active runners on base, if SGA can get guys on and cause havoc on the base paths, maybe it can get into the pitcher's head.
• If win: Will play the winner of Frederica and Gatewood on May 16.

GISA Class A

Terrell Academy

• Seed: Region 3, No. 1.
• Record: 14-3.
• Top pitchers: Brady Copeland (6-0); Chandler Farley (2-1, 2 saves).
• Top hitter: Farley (.509, .618 OBP, 4 HR).
• Opponent: Oak Mountain (Region 4, No. 4).
• When/Where: Fri 2 p.m. at Dawson; Sat. 11 a.m (DH if necessary).
• Game analysis: Terrell Academy hopes to break out of their slump at the plate against Oak Mountain, which comes in with a 1-9 record and is in the playoffs by virtue of being in a four-team region.
• X-factor: Pitching depth. The Eagles have confidence in six different pitchers and will not hesitate to make a switch if one of them has a bad day.
• If win: Will play the winner of Curtis Baptist and Robert Toombs Christian on May 16.

Westwood School

• Seed: Region 3, No. 1.
• Record: 14-3.
• Top pitchers: Brady Copeland (6-0); Chandler Farley (2-1, 2 saves).
• Top hitter: Farley (.509, .618 OBP, 4 HR).
• Opponent: Oak Mountain (Region 4, No. 4).
• When/Where: Fri 2 p.m. at Dawson; Sat. 11 a.m (DH if necessary).
• Game analysis: Terrell Academy hopes to break out of their slump at the plate against Oak Mountain, which comes in with a 1-9 record and is in the playoffs by virtue of being in a four-team region.
• X-factor: Pitching depth. The Eagles have confidence in six different pitchers and will not hesitate to make a switch if one of them has a bad day.
• If win: Will play the winner of Curtis Baptist and Robert Toombs Christian on May 16.

GHSA Class A

Seminole County

• Seed: Region 1, No. 2.
• Record: 17-6.
• Top pitchers: Jonathan Buczek (7-3, 3.53, 42 K, 40 IP).
• Top hitter: Santez Richardson (.439, 9 HR).
• Opponent: Savannah County Day (Region 3, No. 3)).
• When/Where: Today 4 p.m. at Seminole (DH); Sat. Noon (if necessary).
• Game analysis: The Indians will depend on their strong pitching and defense. They don't have a big time offense, but they will try to manufacture runs. For Savannah County Day, it's the school's first playoff appearance in 18 years.
• X-factor: The short porch in Seminole's right field. When left-handed hitters from out of town see it, they change their approach at the plate trying to pull the ball more. That's when the Indians' pitchers take advantage of it.
• If win: Will play the winner of Telfair County and Taylor County on May 14.

Baconton Charter

• Seed: Region 1, No. 3.
• Record: 19-5.
• Top pitcher: Tyler Pinson.
• Top hitters: Chance Tompkins, Preston Maier.
• Opponent: Claxton (Region 3, No. 2).
• When/Where: Today 4 p.m. at Claxton (DH); Sat. 2 p.m. (if necessary).
• Game analysis: With Baconton's tennis team in the Final Four, the Blazers could be short two starters, including their star pitcher Pinson. With tennis going at noon and the potential of another match after if they win, Pinson could miss a game or all of the doubleheader.
• X-factor: If he can make it, the Blazers will need him to have his 'A' game as Claxton will bring a solid lineup and a staff of four solid pitchers to play. With that said, coach Bubber Birdsong has a back-up lineup in place if needed
• If win: Will play the winner of Pacelli and Turner County on May 14.

GHSA Class AA

Early County

• Seed: Region 1, No. 4.
• Record: 13-9.
• Top pitchers: Antonio Williams (6-3); Coleman Wehrly (5-3).
• Top hitters: Lead-off hitter Dionnis Bryant; Shawn Williams.
• Opponent: Westside, Augusta (Region 3, No. 1).
• When/Where: Fri. 4 p.m. (DH); Sat. 2 p.m. at Westside, Augusta (if necessary).
• Game analysis: The Bobcats want to get guys on and steal bases. The biggest concern for them is focus. Coach Bob Hall said his team has had a tendency to lose focus, which leads to defensive lapses.
• X-factor: Finding a break. Early County has played in many close games, the last one coming in a 6-4 extra-inning loss to Fitzgerald but each game they have ended up on the losing end.
• If win: Will play the winner of Bleckley County and Jeff Davis on May 14.

GHSA Class AAA

Westover

• Seed: Region 1, No. 3.
• Record: 19-7.
• Top pitcher: Lance Shernisky.
• Top hitters: Kerry Hall (hitting over .500).
• Opponent: South Effingham (Region 3, No. 2).
• When/Where: Today 5 p.m. (DH); Sat. 1 p.m. (if necessary).
• Game analysis: Westover is playing its best baseball at the right time, winning 9 of their last 10. The Patriots have done so using a six-man staff.
• South Effingham enters with a record of 18-7. They are led by a solid shortstop and catcher.
• X-factor: Andrew Anderson. He's had a rough go in his senior season, hitting just .200 in region games and fighting injuries but if he's able to find his groove, it would give the Patriots a boost.
• If win: Will play the winner of Henry County and Northside, Col. on May 14.

Worth County

• Seed: Region 1, No. 4.
• Record: 12-14.
• Top pitcher: Allen Fender (4-4).
• Top hitters: Melvin Lee, Todd Sauls and Matt Hathcock.
• Opponent: Harlem (Region 3, No. 1).
• When/Where: Today 4 p.m. (DH), Sat. 1 p.m. at Harlem (if necessary).
• Game analysis: Worth County has not played their best baseball lately. Not good news as they meet a Harlem team with dominant pitching and small-ball lineup.
• X-factor: Defense. The Rams average 5-6 errors per game. With Harlem putting the ball in play, they will be tested. They cannot give extra outs if they want to win a playoff series.
• If win: Will play the winner of Perry and Troup on May 14.

GHSA Class AAAA

Americus-Sumter

• Seed: Region 1, No. 4.
• Record: 6-19.
• Top pitcher: Caleb Cochran (3-6, 3.20).
• Top hitters: Doc Belflower (.362); Matt McKenzie (.402).
• Opponent: Greenbrier (Region 3, No. 1).
• When/Where: Today 4 p.m. (DH); Sat. 2 p.m. at Greenbrier (if necessary).
• Game analysis: A young Panthers team looks to be overmatched against the two-time defending state champions. Greenbrier's ace Nolan Belcher, who signed with South Carolina, has only lost one game over his high school career.
• X-factor: Using this series as a learning tool. Coach Kagan McClain wants his team to play hard and gain experience for the future.
• If win: Will play the winner of Jones County and McIntosh on May 14.

Bainbridge

• Seed: Region 1, No. 3.
• Record: 11-14.
• Top pitchers: Flint King, Jeremy Coram, Trey Faircloth.
• Top hitters: Faircloth.
• Opponent: Statesboro (Region 3, No. 2..
• When/Where: Today at 4 p.m. (DH) at Statesboro; Sat. at 1 p.m. (if necessary).
• Game analysis: Bainbridge is not particularly strong in pitching, defense or hitting, so they will have to rely on doing the little things right to win. They hope to manufacture runs and get a solid outing from one of their three pitchers.
• X-factor: Keeping it a low-scoring game. The Bearcats do not have the offense to compete in a high-scoring contest.
• If win: Will play the winner of Griffin and Northgate on May 14.

Lee County High School

• Seed: Region 1, No. 1.
• Record: 18-8.
• Top pitchers: Howell White (42 IP, 3-1, 3.00, 52 K); Gray Carden (5-3, 2.59)
• Top hitter: Jeremy Sheffield (.495, 21 RBI).
• Opponent: Evans (Region 3, No. 4).
• When/Where: Today 5 p.m. (DH); Sat. noon at Lee County H.S. (if necessary) .
• Game analysis: Lee County baseball is back. After starting 3-6, including a 4-3 loss on opening day to Evans in extra innings, the Trojans have won 15 of their last 17 games. With the offensive roles clearly defined and the pitching staff in control, the Trojans will be looking to make a return trip to the final four starting today.
• X-factor: The gnats. Anyone that has been to Lee County for playoff baseball knows they will be bad. And for an Evans team from northern Georgia with their hands full already with a talented Trojans team, it could add frustration.
• If win: Will play the winner of Starr's Mill and Northside, WR on May 14.

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