ROCHELLE — David Byrd had battled flu-like symptoms the last couple of days entering the first round of the Class A playoffs, but that wasn’t going to slow him down.

The Schley County senior belted a two-run home run in Game 1, drove in two runs on a single in the second game while at the same time pitching a complete game, striking out seven and allowing four hits as the Wildcats swept Wilcox County 17-8 and 8-1 to advance to the second round.

They will face a top seed in Lanier County with two games set for Wednesday in Lakeland and if necessary, Game 3 will be Thursday.

“My throat was sore and I had no energy. I was moping around,” said Byrd, who was earlier named Region 4-A’s Pitcher of the Year. “I knew the situation we were in, and I had to do whatever to help the team out and be there for them.”

Schley County (20-7) lost two one-run games to Wilcox County (17-10) this season — both to Joel Barnard who took the loss — but the Wildcats jumped out quick with three runs in the first. Byrd’s seventh homer of the season gave Schley a 5-2 lead after the fourth inning. Tyler Tondee hit his fifth homer of the season with a two-run shot in the fifth, and after Wilcox pulled to within 9-5, the Wildcats slammed the door with eight runs in the sixth.

Taylor Law was 3-for-5 with four RBIs in the game, Byrd drove in three, Andy Miller had two RBIs, and Alec Davis had a two-run single in the sixth. Eight of the 17 runs came with two outs, and the 6-through-9 hitters delivered seven of the team’s 17 hits.

“I don’t think either of us expected that kind of game,” said Wildcats coach Chuck Cheek. “We felt like it would be big for us however they (6-9 hitters) would hit the ball, and they really came through.”

Christopher Tondee started Game 1 and pitched 2.2 innings before being struck by a line drive on his left leg. Chad Crook finished the game.

“Spud was pitching a great game,” said Cheek. “He struck out the first four batters he faced and looked really good. It looked like he was going to have a special day.

“We’re very proud of Chad because sometimes one of the hardest things to do is to stay focused with a big lead. He never let them have that big inning to get back in the ball game.”

Byrd stayed in control in Game 2. Wilcox scored one in the first and was held scoreless the remainder of the game. After Miller scored on a passed ball and a Jonathon Deriso gave Schley a 3-1 lead, Cheek said the biggest play of the game came from Miller on defense.

Wilcox had runners on second and third with two outs when a line drive was hit to Miller in left field and he made a leaping grab to end the top of the fourth inning.

“If that gets by him, the game is probably tied up,” said Cheek. “That was probably the hardest ball David had given up. That really got us going, and we talk about a game of inches again.”

Tyler Tondee scored on an error and Colter scored on a passed ball in the fourth. Colter reached base all four times he was at the plate, scoring three times, and he had one hit.

A Gordon RBI-single gave Schley a 6-1 lead in the sixth, and Byrd followed with a two-run single to finish the scoring.