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GHSA Class AAAA

Lee County High School

• Seed: Region 1, No. 1.
• Record: 20-9.
• TODAY'S Opponent: Starr's Mill (19-9, Region 2, No. 2).
• When/Where: At Lee County High School today 5 p.m. (DH); Thursday 5 p.m. (if necessary).
• HOW THEY GOT HERE: Lee County rebounded after losing their opening game 5-3 to Evans, with 8-3 and 5-2 wins to survive. Starr's Mill swept Northside Warner to advance.
• LEE COUNTY'S BIG PERFORMER: Taylor Howell (4-for-9, 6 RBI).
• Scouting report on Starr's Mill: Ace Ed Cook has a 5-2 record and throws in the mid-to-upper 80s. He is also their leading hitter, with an average over .400. The Panthers depend on defense to account for a lack of power and speed. "I'm realistic about our chances," Starr's Mill coach Brent Moseley said. "We're a young team and Lee County is tough."
• Game analysis: Coach Rob Williams believes the first round is the hardest and it showed. The Trojans showed some nerves with a shaky defensive performance in Game 1 but Williams expects a crisper performance.
• X-factor: Getting that big inning. Coach Williams felt the Trojans left too many guys on base and failed to put away Evans.
• Quotable: Williams on leading hitter Jeremy Sheffield: "He really didn't have that bad of a series. He didn't strike out and found other ways to get on base. That's what good lead-off hitters do."
• If win: Play the winner of East Paulding and Salem on May 20.

GHSA Class A

Seminole County High School

• Seed: Region 1, No. 2.
• Record: 19-6.
• TODAY'S Opponent: Telfair County (24-3; Region 2, No. 1).
• When/Where: Today 4 p.m. (DH) at McRae; Thursday 2 p.m. (if necessary).
• HOW THEY GOT HERE: Seminole County swept Savannah Country Day with a pair of one-run wins; Telfair County lost the opener against Taylor County but bounced back to win the next two.
• SEMINOLE COUNTY'S BIG PERFORMER: Jonathan Buczek (recorded a win on the mound and the game-winning hit in Game 1)
• Telfair County scouting report: The Trojans boast one of the best pitchers in the state with junior Hart Mizell (14-1, 2.28, 97 k in 76.2 ip). Expecting a win from their ace, the Trojans hope an arsenal of Patrick Davis (.440, 6 HR, 24 RBI); Jody Stone (.347, 25 RBI, 25 SB) and Erin Mizell (.408, 20 RBI) can produce enough to come away with another win.
• Game analysis: The Indians have the ability to chip away at Trojans' ace Mizell with their small-ball offense. They will have to do so without starting centerfielder Dylan O'Hearn, who broke his arm.
• X-factor: Seminole County's pitching. With an offense that does not put up big numbers, the Indians need to hold down the Trojans to have a chance.
• Quotable:"It's good to see us winning those one run games, at this setting; those are the teams that advance," Seminole County coach Truett Johnson.
• If win:Play the winner of Providence Charter and Bremen on May 20.

Baconton Charter

• Seed: Region 1, No. 3.
• Record: 21-6.
• Opponent: Pacelli (23-3; Region 4, No. 1)
• HOW THEY GOT HERE: Baconton came back from six runs in the seventh to win the decisive game, 7-6; Pacelli lost the first game but bounced back to take the next two from Turner County.
• When/Where: Today 3 p.m. (DH) at Pacelli; Thurs. 3 p.m. (if necessary).
• BLAZERS' Big performer: Preston Maier (came through with
• game-winning, bases loaded double to complete a 6-run comeback)
• Scouting report on Pacelli: The Vikings staff goes three deep with; Michael O'Neal, Charles Roffi and Stuart Wilkerson, who combined for 20 of Pacelli's 23 wins. Wilkerson, the Region 4 player of the year is hitting .567 and went 6-for-8 in the opening round.
• Game analysis: Baconton coach Bubber Birdsong calls Pacelli the best team they've seen all year. It will take the Blazers best to advance.
• X-factor: Keeping the good vibes. After a miraculous win, Birdsong is concerned with the emotion of his team. Can they keep the momentum? Or will they be satisfied?
• If win: Play the winner of Jefferson and ELCA on May 20.

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