Top-seed Morgan County is returning to the Elite Eight after sweeping No. 16 seed Ringgold on May 1.
The ‘Dogs (28-5) dominated No. 32 seed Butler, winning 19-0 and 20-0 in the first round on April 25. They then faced the Tigers, securing 5-4 and 8-0 victories to advance in the Class 2A state playoffs.
“It was one of those series where you're pretty nervous coming in because of Ringgold's tradition,” Morgan County head coach Steve Westmoreland stated. “They were a state runner-up two years ago, and they've had some struggles go on this year, but overall, they’re a really good team.”
Game one with Ringgold was a battle, but Morgan County came out on top. The Dogs scored a run in the bottom half of the seventh inning, defeating the Tigers 5-4 and taking a 1-0 lead in the series.
Hudson Reed drew a one-out walk with the game tied, and then Jack Whitlow stepped up to the plate. He hit a line drive into left field as Reed rounded the bases and scored the game-winning run.
“Once we tied it up, I felt good,” Westmoreland said. “We've talked all year that as long as you've got an out, you've got a chance. We haven't had too many opportunities this year to have something like that happen because we've played from ahead so much. But it was nice to see our guys respond and execute when it mattered. So, that's something as we continue through the playoffs, we're probably going to be in those situations more because the teams get better and better.”
The victory signified an incredible comeback, as Ringgold led 4-0 after two innings. The Tigers capitalized by scoring four runs off Morgan County starting pitcher Ty Tillery in the top of the second.
The Dogs weren’t phased and scored two runs in the third and fourth innings to tie the game. Tillery and Hudson recorded RBI hits in the third inning, as did Robert Pearson and Eli Whitlow in the fourth.
Tillery also remained calm on the mound, securing the win. The junior finished strong, throwing a complete game while allowing four runs, none earned, on four hits, with 10 strikeouts and no walks.
“We allowed four unearned runs in the second inning, making you wonder if this could be one of those series where we struggle and lose,” Westmoreland explained. “However, from that point on, our team responded well from there, just settling in and performing as we know how.”
The first victory over Ringgold set the tone for the second game, which Morgan County won. The Dogs capitalized on their momentum from the walk-off win to take game two 8-0 and secure the series.
It took a few innings, but Morgan County scored two runs in both the third and fourth innings to take a 4-0 lead. Tillery and Reed sparked the offense in the top of the third, putting them out in front.
The Dogs also received solid at-bats from Jack Whitlow, Cole Wesley, Drew Ainslie, and Jake Jenkins, while pitcher Davis Strickland delivered a gem. He allowed only three hits, with four walks and six strikeouts in six innings. Skylar McCoy finished the game with two strikeouts in the seventh.
“For the series, we had 13 shutout innings out of 14, and we pushed the ball extremely well,” Westmoreland said. “We made some plays defensively, and really from the fourth inning on of game one, I thought offensively we were pretty darn good. I think we had 13 hits in game two against a quality arm. So, overall, it was a really, really good two-game series for us.
Morgan County will next host No. 8 seed Appling County (20-12) at Tracy Brown Field in the Elite Eight.