Gwinnett Daily Post

LILBURN - Providence Christian won its opening series of the Class A state baseball playoffs over Lakeview Academy on Friday night.

The Stars won the first game 8-1 and added a 13-2 victory in the nightcap.

In the first game, Jesse Meier gave up two hits and struck out five in five innings to register a win for Providence, now 18-8-1 on the season.

Chris Wages was 2-for-3 with two doubles, Andy Vess went 1-for-3 with a home run and two runs, Tommy Bonner was 1-for-2 with two runs while Preston Smith went 1-for-3 with two RBIs for Providence.

In the second game, Jonathan Leverett registered the win after pitching four innings, giving up two runs on five hits, walking two and striking out three in a five-inning win.

Tyler Johnson was 2-for-4 with two doubles and two runs, Vess was 2-for-4 with a triple and two RBIs, Wages was 2-for-4 with a double and three RBIs, J.D. Pullen was 2-for-3 with a run and an RBI while Jon Walker was 1-for-3 with a home run, three RBIs and three runs.

Temple sweeps GAC

TEMPLE - Greater Atlanta Christian finished its baseball season Friday with a pair of losses at Temple, 12-1 and 1-0, in the first round of the Class AA state playoffs.

The Spartans (18-10) were routed in Game 1, but rallied behind Taylor Wood in Game 2. Wood pitched eight strong innings and allowed just four hits, but Temple scored after a wild pitch bounced over a side fence.

Norcross falls at

Kell in Game 1

MARIETTA - It was almost as if the rain was patiently waiting for homestanding Kell to score a run or two before arriving from the sky, and then, during the ensuing rain delay, persistent lightning refused to depart.

The one-two weather punch helped the Longhorns knock out Norcross, 3-0, on Friday night in Game 1 in the opening round of their best-of-three Class AAAAA state baseball playoff series.

While Kell right-hander Taylor Phillips tenaciously pitched out of danger time and time again, his teammates calmly outwaited Blue Devils left-hander Tyler Roach for hittable pitches. A couple of runs in the bottom of the fourth and another in the fifth were just enough, so that when the umpires called the game in the top of the sixth, the Longhorns (20-6) were one up on Norcross with the rest of the series scheduled for today, beginning at noon.

Phillips (7-0) did not exactly scatter the Blue Devils' six hits - plus two walks - but he wriggled off the hook three times in the first three innings to keep the game scoreless.

Grayson's lead

wasted in rainout

KENNESAW - The Grayson Rams will play a doubleheader at North Cobb today after being rained out on Friday night. The games start today at 2 p.m.

North Cobb coach Tom Callahan said the Warriors received a gift Friday in Game 1 against Grayson, now they have to find a way to use it.

Grayson got to North Cobb No. 1 starter Anthony Green early and led the Warriors 5-1 in the top of the fifth inning when the rains came. The game was washed out forcing it to be played in its entirety as the first game of a doubleheader today at North Cobb.

If there is a third game it is tentatively scheduled for Monday at 7 p.m.

South rained out at

Kennesaw Mountain

KENNESAW - South Gwinnett's first round Class AAAAA doubleheader was rained out Friday and postponed until today. The doubleheader begins today at 5 p.m., with Game 3 on Monday if necessary.

Kennesaw Mountain gave up two runs in the top of the first inning before rallying to go up 3-2 in the third inning before lightning ended the game.

To report scores, call 770-339-5850. Scores must be reported before 10:15 p.m. every day with the exception of Tuesday and Friday to be included in the next edition. Deadline for Tuesday is 10:30 p.m. and Friday is 10:45 p.m.