JEFFERSON — Two years ago, the Jackson County baseball team, despite a tough two-game sweep at the hands of Blessed Trinity in the first round of the 2014 Class AAA playoffs, left the field thinking it had made a name for itself.
There’s no doubt now after the Panthers rallied to beat Ringgold in three games last week in the 2016 Class AAA quarterfinals to advance to their first-ever state semifinals. And, in a return to where things all started for them, they will travel back to Roswell on Monday to take on the Titans again with a shot at the state championship series on the line this time around.
Jackson County isn’t the only area team still alive, however. While the Panthers may be crashing the semifinal party for the first time, playoff stalwarts Gainesville and Buford have rolled into the Class AAAAA and Class AAAA Final Four, respectively.
“We lost 2-1 in the first game and then had a lead in the seventh inning in the second game so we feel like we were definitely able to compete with them,” Jackson County coach Tommy Fountain said about their 2014 series with Blessed Trinity. “That’s when we felt we had arrived, so to speak. We weren’t given much of a shot to win that series and really we could have both games.”
That series, however, helped propel the Panthers program into being one of the most consistent in Region 8-AAA with three straight trips to the playoffs, including the Elite 8 or better the past two seasons. The Titans, on the other hand, have been perhaps the most dominant program in the state at any level having won 80 of their last 81 games. Their only loss in the span was to a team from Louisiana early this season.
Fountain said they realize they are considered a big underdog but also know that they may be the only team left that could match up with the Titans on the mound. Intimidation will not be an issue.
“Ever since (the loss to Blessed Trinity in the playoffs) the kids in our program have had the belief that they could play with anyone,” Fountain said. “The seniors were sophomores that year so I don’t think they’re going to go in there and be intimidated. In fact, I think they’re looking forward to the challenge.”
Jackson County (19-15-1) has gotten this far behind a deep pitching staff, and by being Game 3 warriors. The Panthers have gone the distance in each of the first three rounds after dropping the first game each time. But, behind a seven-deep front-line of pitchers, they have been able to throw fresh arms in each deciding game and have outscored the opposition 36-6 in Game 3s so far.
The Titans, however, are also known for their pitching and have yielded just three (3) total runs through the first three rounds of the playoffs.
First pitch in Roswell is slated for 4:30 p.m.
Class AAAA semifinals: Eastside at Buford, (DH)
The Wolves are making their third straight semifinals appearance, the last two in Class AAAA, and are the defending Class AAAA state champion.
For Buford, it has been a low-profile kind of season, however. Despite being the defending champs, the Wolves (29-3) have been flying a little under the radar after losing to No. 1 Locust Grove early in the regular season. But they have swept their way back into the semifinals and will take on an Eastside team that took down St. Pius in three games in the quarterfinals.
The Eagles (23-9) are the No. 3 seed from Region 4-AAAA and will be facing their second Region 8-AAAA squad after sweeping Madison County in two close games in the second round.
“Eastside is playing well and a hot team in the playoffs is always a concern and a challenge,” Buford coach Tony Wolfe said. “We don’t take anyone for granted. We’re expecting a tough series.”
Buford has been pummeling the opposition scoring 61 runs in its first six playoff games. Senior Griffin Jolliff has been the main catalyst at the plate with three home runs, three doubles, and 16 RBI in the last two rounds. He also has three wins on the mound. Fellow senior Justin Glover also has three wins on the mound as the Wolves have allowed just 19 runs (3.15 runs per game) in the playoffs.
“Griffin has really taken his game to a new level and we’re going to need him, and others, to stay hot,” Wolfe said.
Brandon Marsh, Austin and Nick Wilhite, and Jolliff at the top of the order have been devastating to opposing pitchers, Wolfe said.
First pitch at Gerald McQuaig Field is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.
Class AAAAA semifinals: Houston County at Gainesville, (DH)
The Red Elephants are making their fourth trip to the semifinals in the past five seasons.
Gainesville held off a hot-hitting Dalton team in the quarterfinals in Class AAAAA and now will get a much-anticipated rematch with Houston County at Ivey-Watson Field. The Bears knocked Gainesville out of the 2014 playoffs in the semifinals at Ivey-Watson.
Senior jack-of-all-trades Jack Langford said after the quarterfinals win over Dalton that he wanted another shot at the Bears.
“We remember that series. I definitely am looking forward to playing them again,” Langford said.
The Red Elephants have been led by senior pitcher/first baseman Sam Carpenter, who has three post-season wins and had six hits, including a home run, two RBI, and scored four times in the Dalton series.
Gainesville is looking for a return trip to the championship series after falling to Greenbrier in three games in the 2015 finals.
First pitch at Ivey-Watson is scheduled for 4 p.m.
SEMIFINAL STATE BASEBALL PLAYOFF SCHEDULE
Monday, May 16
(All series are best-of-three with doubleheaders on the first day)
CLASS AAAAA
Houston County at Gainesville, 4 p.m. (1240 ESPN Radio)
CLASS AAAA
Eastside at Buford, 4:30 p.m.
CLASS AAA
Jackson County at Blessed Trinity, 4:30 p.m.
Tuesday, May 17
(Game 3s, if necessary)
CLASS AAAAA
Houston County at Gainesville, TBA (1240 ESPN Radio)
CLASS AAAA
Eastside at Buford, 5:55 p.m.
CLASS AAA
Jackson County at Blessed Trinity, TBA
