Franklin County knocked Morgan County out of the Class AA state playoffs last week with a 2-1 series win.
The two teams split the first two games, with both ending in a walk-off. After falling behind early, the Dogs won game one 10-7 when Jack Whitlow hit a three-run bomb. The second game was a different story with it being a low-scoring affair, however, the Lions won the contest 2-1 due to an infield error, tying the series.
This led to a winner-take-all game three on May 14, when Franklin defeated Morgan 9-5, eliminating the No. 1 seed from the playoffs and advancing to play Rockmart in the Class AA state championship series this week.
The Dogs fought hard in the third game, but a few defensive errors cost them the chance to compete for the state title.
“We just made some costly mistakes,” Morgan County head coach Steve Westmoreland said. “There were a few instances where we couldn’t get the baserunner out on the basepath, and that led to us staying out in the field.”
In game three, Franklin capitalized, particularly in the early innings. There were several instances on the basepath where the Dogs failed to secure an out when an opposing baserunner found himself in a rundown situation. This happened multiple times throughout the game, allowing the Lions to extend the inning and score.
Morgan’s infield also committed several costly mistakes, including one in the second inning that allowed two runs, putting Franklin ahead 4-2 as the game moved to the bottom half of the frame, where the Dogs tied it up.
Similar to the first inning, the Dogs scored twice again; Ty Tillery recorded an RBI with a sacrifice fly to center field, bringing in Gavin Hunt, while Robert Pearson earned a bases-loaded walk that scored Eli Whitlow.
Draco Frazzitta replaced starter Caylem Richardson to begin the third inning for Morgan, but it didn’t take long for the Lions to score. This time, it was on a passed ball that allowed the runner to score from third base.
The score remained 5-4 until the sixth inning, as Franklin's relief pitcher, Caden Cawthon, was dealing on the mound. Frazzitta was replaced by Hudson Reed, who pitched a scoreless fourth but gave up four runs — all earned — in the sixth. Franklin’s bats got hot, taking a 9-4 lead into the bottom half of the frame.
The Lions’ first run in the sixth inning also came off an error, which sparked a rally as they tacked on three more.
Morgan County didn’t give up, as Jack Whitlow hit a solo shot in the sixth, but they never fully recovered.
Westmoreland was disappointed, but knew his team didn’t play its best in the most important game of the season.
“It was just one of those unfortunate things,” Westmoreland said. “I did like how we fought to the end, though.”
Morgan’s season ended with a 31-8 overall record, a region championship, and a trip to the Final Four.