Trojans sweep to advance
CHICKAMAUGA, Ga. — Getting late swings on his fastball and lunging swings at his breaking ball, Jake Poindexter delivered a gem in crunch time.
The Gordon Lee sophomore pitcher fanned a career-high 15 batters Thursday night in a complete-game performance that advanced the Trojans into the quarterfinals of the GHSA Class A baseball state playoffs.
Poindexter’s performance in a 5-1 victory capped a doubleheader sweep in the bestof-three second-round series against Jenkins County. The second-seeded Trojans, who won the opener 11-1, will host either Seminole County or Wilcox County in a doubleheader at 5 p.m. Wednesday to start another best-of-three series.
Designated visitors in Thursday’s second game, the Trojans (26-4) scored three runs in the top of the seventh to back Poindexter
for his final trip to the mound.
Poindexter (6-0) leaped off that mound with a yell in the bottom of the fourth after escaping a jam with runners in scoring position and no one out to keep the 2-1 lead intact.
Gordon Lee’s dugout exploded in celebration in the bottom of the sixth. Hunter Hodson took a throw into third that was late trying to nab the potential tying runner, but Hodson zoomed a throw to second for the third out as a Jenkins County baserunner tried to sneak over.
“The fire our team has all comes from that man right there,” Poindexter said as he pointed to Gordon Lee coach Mike Dunfee. “He gets us fired up every day at practice, and it carries into games. He and our other coaches build us for these moments.”
Jenkins County’s Hagan Jenkins pitched a complete game opposite Poindexter, striking out 10 batters. Poindexter allowed three hits.
“Jake is a competitor, and we’ve got a full team of them,” Dunfee said. “When a game has high intensity like this one, he thrives off that. He and the other pitcher went toe to toe, and it was a fun game to be a part of.”
Gordon Lee’s Will Sizemore went 2-for-3 with a pair of RBIs in the second game. Cade Peterson continued his hot hitting from the opener with an opposite-field single to start the two-run second inning.
In the seventh, Justin Wooden’s deep drive popped out of the mitt of the right fielder and drove in the first run. Chris Potter and Sizemore added RBI hits.
In the opener, Jenkins County (11-13) allowed seven of 14 hits to go for extra bases.
Gordon Lee’s Hodson doubled twice, homered and drove in three runs in the doubleheader, and Chris Potter drove in three runs.
Jake Wright (8-0) pitched for the opening win, allowing no earned runs in five innings with six strikeouts, and hit a home run for an early 3-0 lead.
“Jake has a high motor and really gives us his all every time on the mound and at the plate,” Dunfee said. “He is confident in himself and carries over great practices to great performances in games.”
Said Wright: “We want to defend our run and add to the glory. I feel like we have the deepest pitching staff in the state. It was fun to watch Jake in the second game. When he is on like that, there is no one out there that can beat us.”