Semifinals Day One recap

In a Class AAAAA semifinals series, Parkview beat Mill Creek 5-4 after Jack Esmonde’s infield single scored Michael Craig for the game-winning run in the bottom of the seventh. Josh Hart has scored on the previous at-bat after a passed ball to tie the game.

Esmonde also got the win out of the bullpen after throwing 2 2/3 scoreless innings. Matt Olson started the game and went 4 1/3 innings with eight strikeouts. At the plate, Esmonde was 3-for-4, while Olson was 2-for-2 with two RBIs and Josh Hart was 2-for-3 with two runs.

A single by Nick Tillman and back-to-back homers by Tyler Boldt and Jesse Thomas had put Mill Creek ahead 4-3 in the fifth inning.

Game 2 was postponed and will be played tomorrow at 4 p.m.

Brookwood and Grayson split the first two game of their Class AAAAA semifinal showdown. Lucas Sims started for the Broncos in Game 1, going five innings and striking out eight Rams in a 10-0 victory. Garrett Reynolds went 2-for-3 with three RBIs to pace Brookwood.

In Game 2, Cedric Mullins went 2-for-3 with a double and a triple, but it was not enough as Grayson touched Allen Tokarz for three runs in a 3-1 victory. Game 3 will be played Tuesday in Snellville.

Class AAAA

Greenbrier 6-5, Whitewater 4-8: Whitewater jumped out to an early lead in Game 1 with home runs from Alex Liquori and Daniel Amos, but the Wolf Pack offense rallied to put six on the board. In the second game, Whitewater’s Taylor Turner crushed a two-run home run for the visitors.

Johns Creek 7, Loganville 2: In Game 1 pitcher Matt Gorst threw a complete game, striking out five with two earned runs. Dylan Dore led off the game with a homer for the visiting Gladiators. Game 2 was postponed and will be played Tuesday at 2 p.m.

Class AAA

Columbus 9-1, Troup 0-5: The visiting Blue Devils won Game 1 behind the pitching of starter Kyle Carter. In Game 2, junior outfielder Dalton Hadley homered in the fourth to give Troup a 3-0 lead. Jackson Oliver had an RBI single for the Tigers. Garrett McClurg threw a complete game six-hitter for Troup in Game 2.

Ringgold 4-2, Gainesville 3-12: Corey Kafka tossed a complete game with nine strikeouts for the visiting Tigers in Game 1. David Gonzalez also pitched a complete game, but in a losing effort. Gainesville rebounded in Game 2 as Stephen Mason launched a grand slam to start the onslaught.

Class AA

Appling County 11-12, Brantley County 1-6: Byron Buxton struck out 11 in five innings of work to get the win in Game 1. In Game 2, Buxton had a three-run triple and closed out the game in relief to clinch the Pirates’ first-ever trip to the state finals.

Lovett 0-7, Pierce County 8-5: Bears pitcher Will Lowman tossed a no-hitter, striking out eight to lead Pierce County to a Game 1 victory. In the second game, Lovett’s Sean Reagan was 2-for-2 with two runs and Robbie Blair’s two RBIs and two runs. Lovett held off a late rally to force a Game 3.

Class A

Charlton County 2-9, George Walton Academy 10-3: Kyle Leach pitched a complete game in the opener for the visiting Bulldogs. Hunter Rice and Ben Parr each had two RBIs for the Bulldogs. In Game 2, Scott Beasley got the win with a complete game.

Providence Christian 11, Savannah Christian 5: The Stars took Game 1 behind Austin Loyd’s four runs and Austin Golden’s four RBIs. Luke Henderson picked up the victory. Erik Davis hit a three-run home run for visiting Savannah Christian. Game 2 was postponed and will be played Tuesday at 1 p.m.