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ELLAVILLE – After scoring a total of three runs in their first two games against the Georgia School of Innovation & Classics (GSIC), the Schley County Wildcats (SCHS) fired up the bats when they absolutely had to. With their first round state playoff series with the Patriots tied at 1-1, the Wildcats exploded for 10 runs on 11 hits and completed that offensive explosion with a walk off two-run homer by Trypp Lumpkin in the bottom of the sixth inning to secure their 10-0 victory over the Patriots in Game 3 and advance to the second round of the GHSA State Playoffs.

While the SCHS offense was on fire, the Wildcats’ freshman starting pitcher, Ashton Raybon, was equally as hot. Raybon pitched six scoreless innings, giving up only two hits and posting six strikeouts while walking two to get the win.

Over the first three innings, neither team could score as Raybon and GSIC starting pitcher Trent Thompson were both keeping the offenses at bay. However, things changed in the bottom of the bottom of the fourth when Lumpkin led off with a double and Jack Clark followed with an RBI double, scoring Lumpkin. Owen Lamb then singled to left field, but an error by the GSIC left fielder allowed Clark to advance to third and Lamb to advance to second. Cameron Barnes would later drive in the Wildcats’ second run of the game on a sacrifice fly. With three innings to play, the Wildcats had a 2-0 lead.

SCHS was not done, however. In the bottom of the fifth, the Wildcats scored three more runs on three hits, but the real offensive explosion took place an inning later as the Wildcats scored five runs on five hits in the bottom of the sixth. The fifth and final hit of that sixth inning explosion came off the bat of Lumpkin, who belted a two-run home run over the right field wall to end the game due to run differential rules.

Both Lumpkin and Clark led the Wildcats’ charge by going 2 for 3 with two RBIs and two runs scored. Both Owen Lamb and Carson Westbrook also went 2 for 3 at the plate with an RBI, while Brody Fuller, Cameron Barnes and Wesley Hughes each had one hit in the contest.

The Wildcats (18-10) will advance to the second round of the GHSA Class A-Public State Baseball Playoffs and will host the Tigers of Claxton (14-12), who swept Seminole County 16-6 and 8-1 in their first round series. As for the GSIC Patriots, they finish their season at 9-10.

The Wildcats’ second round series with Claxton is scheduled for Wednesday, May 4. Game 1 is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m., followed by Game 2 to begin 30 minutes after the conclusion of Game 1. If a third game is necessary, it will be on Thursday, May 5.