FLOWERY BRANCH — Cherokee Bluff may have trailed 3-0 in Game 1 but in the end, that didn't matter.
The eighth-ranked Bears (22-9 Region 7-3A No. 2 seed) outscored Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe 20-1 over the next 10 innings to sweep the Warriors, 8-3, 12-1, in the first round of the Class 3A playoffs at home.
Bryce England led the Bears' offensive production going 6-for-7 at the plate with 10 RBIs in the two-game series.
Bluff will travel to Greater Atlanta Christian School next week.
"Our kids played well," Head Coach Jeremy Kemp said. "They have worked so hard to get where they are, and we are excited to get to go play GAC in the Sweet 16."
In Game 1, after falling behind 3-0, the Bears scored five straight runs to take a 5-3 lead after the fourth inning. In the big four-run inning, Brody Beal tied the game on a two-run homer that scored Caleb Piland, who walked to start the inning. Later in the inning, with two outs and Dylan Kautz on base after a walk, Ben Jenkins singled, scoring Kautz. On the next at-back, Bryce England later doubled to right field that brought Jenkins home.
The Bears added three more runs in the sixth inning. Beal picked up the complete-game win, giving up two earned runs on two hits while striking out nine.
England was 3-for-4 with four RBIs. Jenkins and Brody Beal drove in two runs apiece.
In Game 2, the Bears kept the momentum going up 11-0 after three innings and 12-1 to get the run-rule win, 12-2.
England had another incredible game at the plate, going a perfect 3-for-3 with six RBIs. Jenkins was 3-for-4 with one RBI, and Jacob Vokal was 2-for-3 with two RBIs.
In four innings of work, Kautz no-hit the Warriors and had four Ks to pick up the win.
FIRST ROUND BASEBALL SCOREBOARD
Thursday, April 29
CLASS 6A
Buford 10-7, Alexander 0-2
Carrollton 9-12, Habersham Central 4-1
CLASS 3A
Cherokee Bluff 8-12, Lakeview-Forth Oglethorpe 3-1
White County 9-4, Sonoraville 7-6
Ringgold 9-7, West Hall 0-5
CLASS 2A
Banks County 0-9, Haralson County 10-3
Bremen 13-10, Rabun County 3-3
Callaway 6-4, Union County 0-3
CLASS A PUBLIC
Commerce 12-12, Marion County 0-2
Wednesday, April 28
CLASS 4A
Hampton 5-9, Chestatee 3-2
Flowery Branch 10-10 Fayette County 0-5
Jefferson 19-13, Mt. Zion-Jonesboro 4-3
CLASS 3A
North Hall 7-5, Coahulla Creek 0-0
Friday, April 30
CLASS 3A
White County (R7, S3) at Sonoraville (R6, S2) -- Game 3, 4 p.m.
CLASS 2A
Haralson County (R5, S3) at Banks County (R8, S2) -- Game 3, 2 p.m.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2021/4/1001167/baseball-playoffs-bluff-goes-off-against-lfo-head-to-2nd-round