Two runs in the top of the eighth inning provided the Redan Raiders what they needed for a 7-5 Game 3 road victory over the Southeast Bulloch Yellow Jackets to send Redan into the Class 3A State Baseball Playoffs Elite 8.

Redan (24-5) had dropped the best-of-three series opener 12-2 before bouncing back for an exciting 2-1 win on Wednesday in the second game to even the series and force the deciding third game on Thursday.

Southeast Bulloch rallied from a 5-0 second inning deficit to knot the game at 5-5 behind RBI doubles by Gage DiGiovanni in the third and Riley Emrich in the fourth and a RBI single in the fourth by DiGiovanni.

The two teams battled for three scoreless innings until the Raiders came to bat in the top of the eighth frame. Tionne Witherspoon delivered the big two-out single to left to plate two runs for a 7-5 Redan lead heading into the bottom of the eighth.

The Yellow Jackets (18-11) were threatening when the Raiders turned a double-play as the duo of second baseman Deniel Ortiz and shortstop Eyon Everett teamed up to help relief pitcher Bernard Moon close out the victory.

Redan went up 2-0 in the first inning as Ortiz sent the first pitch into the outfield for a double to key the Raiders’ opening inning of the game.

The lead expanded to 5-0 in the second inning as Jason Avila, Everett and Ortiz all drove in runs in the inning for the Raiders’ offense.

Ortiz who won Game 1 of the Raiders first round series was relived by Moon after four innings. Moon went on to get the win on the mound giving up no runs, collecting three strikeouts and allowing no runs.

Ortiz finished 2-3 at the plate to lead the Raiders. Redan advanced to the third round for the first time since 2017.

Redan returns home on Tuesday to host Burke County (26-6) which also had to go three games in a second round tilt with Stephens County. Burke also pulled out a tight victory winning 4-3 over Stephens to advance. The pair had split the first two games as Burke won the opener 7-1 and dropped the nightcap of the doubleheader 5-1.

No times have been announced for the third-round matchup, but a third game, if necessary, would be played on Wednesday.

DEKALB BASEBALL STATE PLAYOFF RESULTS
Wednesday, May 4
CLASS 3A SECOND ROUND (Best of Three Series)
Southeast Bulloch (18-9) 12, Redan (22-5) 2
Redan (23-4) 2, Southeast Bulloch (18-10) 1

Thursday, May 5
CLASS 3A SECOND ROUND (Best of Three Series)
Redan (24-5) 7, Southeast Bulloch (18-11) 5
Redan wins series 2-1

DEKALB BASEBALL STATE PLAYOFF SCHEDULE
Tuesday, May 10
CLASS 3A THIRD ROUND (Best of Three Series)
Burke Co. (26-6) at Redan (24-5), DH, TBA

Tuesday, May 10
CLASS 3A THIRD ROUND (Best of Three Series)
Burke Co. (26-6) at Redan (24-5), TBA, if necessary