RINGGOLD — The Jackson County baseball team made history Wednesday.
The Panthers advanced to their first-ever state semifinals after pounding out a 12-2, six-inning win over host Ringgold in the quarterfinals of the Class AAA state playoffs.
Senior southpaw Coleman Barbee tossed a complete-game four-hitter allowing just two runs to get the victory. It was the first win in the 2016 playoffs for the Panthers No. 1 starter.
Junior second baseman Chris Griggs provided a big part of the offense belting a pair of home runs.
It's the third consecutive series that the Panthers (19-15-1) have come from a game down to win the series.
They will be put to the ultimate test in the semifinal round when they travel to take on No. 1-ranked and two-time defending champion Blessed Trinity beginning on Monday. The Titans (31-1) have yet to drop a game in the playoffs and have given up just three (3) total runs in six playoff games through the first three rounds. Their only loss was to a team from Louisiana.
