RINGGOLD, Ga. - The top-ranked Ringgold Tigers were five outs away from a berth in the quarterfinals of the GHSA Class AAA baseball state playoffs.
But visiting Appling County scored nine runs before the Tigers got another out, sending the series to a deciding third game Monday in the best-of-three series.
The Tigers won 4-0 in game one of the much-delayed second-round doubleheader Saturday afternoon but then lost 12-6.
Ringgold (28-6) got the day started with a four-run first inning, giving pitcher Holden Tucker an early cushion. And he was dominant in the complete-game shutout, striking out 11 and giving up only three hits and no walks.
"It's always big to get off to a good start and give the pitcher a lead," Ringgold coach Brent Tucker said. "Then Holden went out and threw a really good game."
Holden allowed only one baserunner past first, and the Tigers defense played flawlessly behind him against Appling County (19-11).
It was the Pirates who got on the board first in game two with a two-run homer in the first inning by starting pitcher Jason Ammons.
The Tigers countered with three runs in the second for a 3-2 lead. After another run by the Pirates in the third, the game remained tied at 3 until the sixth.
In the top of the inning, Ringgold - the visiting team in game two - broke the tie on a two-run single by catcher Gavin Hollis. Hollis, hitting in the ninth spot, went 2-for-3 with three RBIs.
That lead didn't last long. With Tigers starter Rhett Baldwin tiring, Coach Tucker called on his bullpen to close out the game.
Appling County erupted for nine runs, three coming from bases-loaded walks. The big blow was a grand slam from Micah Rentz that gave the Pirates a 12-5 lead.
"Our bullpen's done a good job for us all year," Coach Tucker said. "They just didn't have it today. I'll put them back in on Monday and they'll be painting corners. They just have to keep their heads up."
The Pirates and their fans, having driven more than five hours from south Georgia, have been staying in the area since Wednesday. Inclement weather has delayed the series multiple times.
The game-two win will keep them here a little longer. Game three will be played Monday at 1 pm.
"We've been to the state playoffs around here a lot," Coach Tucker said. "We've been to game threes before. We just have to do what we do."
Contact Kevin Llewallyn at sports@timesfreepress.com.