Big leads dwindled in the closing innings of both games of the Class 3A state playoffs first round doubleheader at Redan on Friday night, but the Raiders were able to hold off the Dawson County Tigers to sweep their way into the Sweet 16 next week.

Redan used the long ball to build early leads in both the first game 13-9 win and the 8-6 victory in the nightcap. But it was some gutsy pitching by Anthony Mateo in a rough bottom of the seventh inning that sealed the 2-0 sweep of the playoff series as Dawson County was threatening to tie or go ahead trailing 8-6.

After an error and a hit batter loaded the bases, Mateo induced a ground ball to third and third baseman Daniel Ortiz threw home for the force and the first out, but the bases were still loaded.

Another hit batter brought home the fifth run of the game for the Tigers (19-13) and Mateo answered with his fifth strikeout of the game by sitting down Luke Mulberry via the K. A third hit batter drew Dawson County within 8-6 with the tying run on second.

Mateo then finished off the with a strikeout of Brandon Cramer for the third and final out to close out the series victory.

Redan (22-4) opened the top of the first of Game 2 using four extra bases hits to put four runs on the board. Daniel Ortiz hit a two-run homer and Bernard Moon followed with a solo shot, his third homer of the night, to make it 3-0. Doubles from Manolo Parcel and Tionne Witherspoon upped the lead to 4-0.

Jason Avila led off the top of the second with a solo shot of his own and Redan had a 5-0 lead.

Luke Mulberry keyed a four-run bottom of the third for the Tigers with a two-run single as Dawson County closed the gap to 5-4.

Back-to-back doubles in the top of the first by Eyon Everett (2 runs) and Ortiz (1 run) had the Raiders back up 8-4. Mateo shut the Dawson County attack down for three innings before the Tigers struck for the runs in the bottom of the seventh.

After an error by the Raiders allowed a run in the top of the first inning of the opening, Redan answered with seven runs spurred by an Ortiz RBI double followed by a two-run homer by Moon to deep center.

The lead climbed to 9-1 in the second inning as Moon hit his second two-run homer in as many innings.

Parcel had a two-run double to left and Witherspoon has a single to right to score Parcel as the advantage climbed to 13-1.

Julian Horner keyed a six-run fifth for the Tigers with a bases loaded double over the outfield that scored three of the runs and Mulberry had a two-run double to left as well.

A two-run double by Davis Glass in the top of the seventh had the Tigers threatening to rally. Glass was then thrown out trying to score on a fly ball to center. Centerfielder Jason Avila threw home and catcher Adriel Martinez applied the tag for a big double play behind relief pitcher D’Anthony Marks. Marks then enticed another fly ball to center to end the game.

Redan moves on to the second round and faces Southeast Bulloch (17-9) on the road in Brooklet on Wednesday and again on Thursday, if necessary. Southwest Bulloch defeated Brantley County 2-0 and 15-2 to advance.

CLASS 2A
The Towers Titans historic return to the state playoffs after 35 years was unfortunately short lived as Banks County swept the Class 2A opening round series 2-0.

Banks (16-10) defeated Towers (11-10) 15-0 in both games to advance to the Sweet 16.

DCSD BASEBALL STATE PLAYOFFS RESULTS
Friday, April 29
CLASS 3A FIRST ROUND (Best of Three Series)
Redan (21-4) 13, Dawson County (19-12) 9
Redan (22-4) 8, Dawson County (19-13) 6
Redan wins series 2-0

CLASS 2A FIRST ROUND (Best of Three Series)
Banks County (15-10) 15, Towers (11-9) 0
Banks County (16-10) 15, Towers (11-10) 0
Banks County wins series 2-0

DCSD BASEBALL STATE PLAYOFFS SCHEDULE
Tuesday, May 3
CLASS 4A SECOND ROUND (Best of Three Series)
Druid Hills (17-6) at Perry (24-9), DH, 4:00 pm/7:00 pm

Wednesday, May 4
CLASS 4A SECOND ROUND (Best of Three Series)
Druid Hills (17-6) at Perry (24-9), 5:00 pm

Wednesday, May 4
CLASS 3A SECOND ROUND (Best of Three Series)
Redan (22-4) at Southeast Bulloch (17-9, DH, TBA

Thursday, May 5
CLASS 3A SECOND ROUND (Best of Three Series)
Redan (22-4) at Southeast Bulloch (17-9, TBA, if necessary