RABBITTOWN -- Getting the program’s first-ever playoff win felt so good, Jackson County decided to double its pleasure Friday night against East Hall at East Hall Park.
The Panthers rallied from an early deficit in Game 1 for a 7-5 victory and then completed the sweep in the two teams’ best-of-three Class AAA first round series with a 8-0 win in Game 2 for their first-ever series win.
Jackson County (17-11) had never won a playoff game in three previous trips dating all the way back to 1983. The Panthers had been swept out in the first round each of the past two seasons.
Panthers coach Tommy Fountain was more than ecstatic about his team’s history-making night.
“It has been a long, long road,” said Fountain, who is in his eighth season. “I think this says we have finally taken things to the next step. We’ll enjoy this for a day and then get back to work. But it feels good for the program and the community.”
After a shaky first inning in Game 1, the Panthers dominated in all phases. Chris Griggs allowed three runs and four hits in the first inning but then settled down to go the distance. He allowed just four hits and struck out seven the rest of the way to get the win. The offense pounded out nine hits and all but one starter reached base.
In Game 2, Coleman Barbee scattered two early hits and allowed just five total base runners while striking out 13 in the complete-game shutout. The offense had 11 more hits to go with seven stolen bases and scored in all but one inning.
Griggs and Barbee make a formidable duo atop the rotation, lending thoughts of dark horse status and a potential deep run in the playoffs for the Panthers..
“They have pitched well. And our No. 2 guy coming into the season has been out with a knee injury. But whether we’re a team people are considering I don’t know if we’re at that level yet ,” Fountain said about his team’s immediate and long-range future. “But I do think the future looks good for us.”
For East Hall, which finished the season at 14-13, the quick playoff exit may serve as a learning tool for a program that was making its first post-season appearance since 2003.
“We had our first winning season in 10 years, our first playoffs in 12 years, and the community has gotten behind this team,” East Hall coach Wesley Crow said. “This wasn’t the way we wanted things to end but we can definitely use this as learning opportunity. They see you have to do the little things to win at this level. We can use this to help us be even better next year.”
Jackson County will move on to play the winner of the Jenkins-Jackson matchup next week in the second round.
Game 1: Jackson County 7, East Hall 5
Chris Griggs survived a shaky beginning to go distance for the Panthers to get the win. Griggs surrendered eight hits and walked three while striking out eight.
The Vikings jumped on Griggs quickly as four of the first five batters reached as they took a 3-0 lead after the first inning. But he settled down the rest of the way allowing just four more hits and fanned seven over the final six innings.
The Panthers closed to within 3-1 in the third but East Hall answered back with a run in the bottom of the inning for a 4-1 advantage.Jackson County tied game at 4 with three runs in the fourth and added two more in the fifth and another in the sixth to take a 7-4 lead into the sixth.
The Vikings scored one in the bottom of the sixth and got the tying run to the plate in the seventh but Griggs closed out the game with a strike out.
Game 2: Jackson County 8, East Hall 0
The first four Jackson County batters reached to start the bottom of the first inning, including a RBI single by Joel Ellis. The Vikings were able to limit the damage when starter Jonah Crocker got Max Wilson to line into a double play with the bases loaded and then struck out Andrew Miller to keep the score at 1-0.
Barbee got into a groove from there retiring nine of the next 10 batters, including six strikeouts, while the Panthers offense went to work. Jackson County pounded out four hits and got help from three East Hall errors in a four-run second inning to blow the game open. Griggs and Wilson had RBI hits in the frame, which also featured five stolen bases by the Panthers.
Jackson County added a run in the fourth on an RBI hit by Ty Smith knocking in Colby Cole, who beat out an infield hit, for a 6-0 lead. In the fifth Griggs drove in Chandler Saine, and in the sixth Ty Smith doubled in Ellis for an 8-0 lead.
Barbee got the Vikings in order in the seventh for the complete-game victory and series sweep.
