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.”