Rockmart splits; Game 3 to be played Monday

Rockmart baseball will play one final game against Berrien to determine whether it will go to the 3A quarterfinals.

After weather pushed the series back two days, the Jackets split a double header in the second round of the Class AA state baseball playoffs in Rockmart, coming away with a 7-1 win in game one and an 8-5 loss in game two. The results set up a decisive third game on Monday at 5 p.m.

Berrien came into game one and found itself unable to stand up to the Jackets’ offense, which was able to record seven hits in the first two innings.

Rockmart’s Jake Brown scored twice, leading the scoring book for the Jackets, while starting pitcher Kole Holder gave up a single run in seven innings.

In the second game, Jackets didn’t pick up any runs until the third inning, where they recorded all five of the runs on the day. Errors did Rockmart in throughout the game, however, and Berrien took advantage

and tallied eight runs by the time the game was over.

Dylan Bailey led the scoring for the Jackets in game two grabbing a hit and two runs on the day.

Meanwhile, starting pitcher Brayden Cole took the loss for the afternoon after putting up four innings of work against Berrien.

“I thought we play extremely well in game one, we had a high energy level,” Rockmart coach Kenny Yanzetich said. “We didn’t carry the same enthusiastic attitude in game two and we didn’t play as well. This team has been playing well all night long and we are ready to go on Monday.”

Rockmart, now sitting at 21-11 on the season, potentially faces Jeff Davis in the quarterfinal round if it wins on Monday.