Messenger file photo by Chris McCarthy
Hokes Bluff lost to Winfield, 13-9, in the deciding third game last Saturday (Apr. 24) of a best-of-three Class 4A first round state baseball playoff series at WHS.
Payton Lemons hit a grand slam and Drake Rainey (pictured above) homered to help give as the Eagles (15-9) a 9-8 lead before the Pirates put together a five-run sixth inning.
In the series opener in April 23, Lemons fanned 11 in five innings to lead Hokes Bluff to an 11-4 victory. He helped his cause with a hit and an RBI. Also at the plate for the Eagles, Rainey had three hits, a double and two RBI; Branson Hayes had three hits and an RBI; and Hunter Burke had two hits and two RBI.
Despite a solid pitching effort from Rainey in Game 2, Winfield even the series at 1-1 with a 3-2 victory. In six innings, Rainey allowed two earned runs while striking out nine. Burke had three RBI for the Eagles, while Rainey contributed two hits and two RBIs
Etowah (12-14) lost to Hamilton, 8-7 in the deciding game Game 3 in the Class 4A state baseball playoffs last Saturday (Apr. 24) in Hamilton.
With the game tied at 7-7 in the bottom of the seventh inning, the Aggies came through with a two-out single to win the game and the series.
Etowah fell 10-0 in the series opener on April 23 before responding with a 9-4 victory in Game 2. For the Blue Devils, Caleb Burns had three hits and two RBI; Hunter Simmons had a pair of hits and an RBI; and Trace Thompson had two RBI.
