Mike Dunfee doesn't need a calendar to know what time of year it is. He just has to watch Jake Poindexter pitch.
The Gordon Lee High School senior, who is headed to the University of Georgia, continued his postseason mastery Wednesday with his second consecutive no-hitter as the Trojans, winners of two state championships, swept their way into the GHSA Class A public quarterfinals with 6-0 and 11-0 wins over Washington-Wilkes.
Poindexter, who is undefeated in his playoff career, struck out 15 and walked a batter in the opener. Brody Cobb gave him all the runs he would need with a three-run homer in the first inning, while Poindexter helped himself with two hits and two RBIs and Kade Cowan smashed a solo homer.
"He's dialed in," Coach Dunfee said of Poindexter. "This time of year, he kind of cranks it up a gear. He's always a slow starter to the season, but this time of year he gets locked in. The pitching was good, and we got enough hits when we needed it. I still think our best ball is yet to be played, which is what we aim for."
Like Poindexter, Cobb is also red hot, adding three hits, including a grand slam, and six RBIs in game two, with Cowan adding two hits and three runs and Cody Thomas two hits and three RBIs. Blake Rodgers worked the first three innings on the mound and did not allow a hit while striking out two.
The top-ranked Trojans (31-2) will travel to Wilcox County for a best-of-three quarterfinal series beginning with a Monday doubleheader.
Elsewhere in the GHSA playoffs:
Greenbrier 6-2, Calhoun 2-0: In Augusta, Class AAAAA's Yellow Jackets (21-9) were eliminated despite outhitting the hosts. Greenbrier's (26-5) David Bell scattered eight hits in game one, striking out 10 batters, while Tyler Rowland worked out of several jams after allowing 11 hits to pitch a shutout. Jacob Tolson's RBI single in the first inning gave Calhoun its lone lead of the doubleheader as Bell and Dalton Wesley answered with RBI doubles in the bottom half. Andon Lewis had three of Calhoun's eight hits, with Dante Morton adding two.
The Jackets left 10 runners on base in game two, including two on in the second, third, sixth and seventh innings. Lewis again had three hits, with Morton and Kris Sutton adding two each. A.J. Trupp hit a solo homer and Bell had an RBI single for Greenbrier's runs.
Franklin County 10-12, Sonoraville 0-2: In Carnesville, the hosts amassed 31 hits in ending Sonoraville's season at 19-13. Lawson Gailey pitched a one-hitter in game one of the Class AAA second-round series while hitting a homer, and Dee Oliver had three hits in each game, including a homer and five RBIs for the Lions (31-3). Jaxon Pate and Cole Godfrey had RBIs in game two for the Phoenix.
East Hamilton 6, Walker Valley 1: The Hurricanes picked up a huge TSSAA District 5-AAA tournament victory. In a four-run top of the second, Brayden Jasper got the clutch two-out hitting started with a two-run line-drive single to left field. Gray Williams (2-for-3) then doubled to right field to bring Jasper home in the breakthrough inning. Jax Phillips was sharp on the mound, allowing three hits and one run in six innings. Walker Valley standout Aiden Gibson went 2-for-3 with a solo homer in the sixth.
Ooltewah 6, Soddy-Daisy 4: In another District 5-AAA matchup, the Owls scored four runs in the top of the fifth inning, and Isaac Hughes went 2-for-3 with a pair of RBIs in the victory. Hughes also struck out seven in 5 2/3 innings, and Zach Cates picked up the save with 1 1/3 perfect innings.
Hixson 12, Arts & Sciences 2: Jacob Tobias homered and drove in three runs for the Wildcats, who also had a multihit game from Kane Johnson, who had two RBIs. Manny Velazquez scored three times and drove in two atop the lineup. Five pitchers were effective and Brad Dossett picked up the win.
BOYS' SOCCER
GHSA quarterfinals
Southeast Whitfield 2, Benedictine 0: The Raiders (16-0-3) got second-half goals from Victor Garcia and Jerry Favela to advance to the final four in Class AAAA. The Southeast defense did not allow a shot on goal from the visitors (9-8-3).
Coahulla Creek 4, Morgan County 4 (5-4 PKs): The Colts (14-2-2) tied the Class AAA game late in extra time and prevailed on penalty kicks at Morgan County. Emmanuel Arredondo put a header home in extra time to force the shootout ending, where Colts keeper Miguel Arredondo stopped Morgan County's fourth shot. Coahulla Creek, which had gotten penalty conversions from Jaime Mendiola, Ronaldo Medina, Emmanuel Arredondo and Saul Barcenos, then won it when Mervin Alvarez made his penalty kick as well.
"The game was worthy of a final on both ends," Coahulla Creek coach Aurelio Jacobo said. "It was a very physical game from Morgan County, but my boys proved to have more endurance and tactical skills in the end."
Medina scored two goals in regulation, with Mendiola notching one and Barcenas getting two assists.
Gordon Central 5, Thomasville 2: At Calhoun and in Class AAA, Charley Garcia scored four goals as the host Warriors (16-1) earned a trip to the final four, where they will face the winner of the Pace Academy/Putnam County quarterfinal game.
GIRLS' SOCCER
Northwest Whitfield 4, Thomas County Central 0: The Lady Bruins (13-0-3) rolled Tuesday in a Class AAAA quarterfinal, adding another strong performance to a state playoff run in which they have outscored their opponents a combined 17-0. Northwest will visit Atlanta's Marist for a semifinal Monday.
SOFTBALL
Knoxville Webb 16, Grace Academy 6: Maddy McGaughey and Anna Rush each had two hits for the Lady Golden Eagles, who had four extra-base hits.
TENNIS
McCallie 7, Knoxville Catholic 0: The Blue Tornado concluded a perfect regular season with the home win and will head into the state tournament later this month with a 12-0 record. Gabe Getz and Will Leathers won 8-0 in doubles, and Andreas Sillaste won 6-0, 6-0 in singles.
Compiled by Patrick MacCoon and Lindsey Young. Contact MacCoon at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com and follow him on Twitter @PMacCoon. Contact Young at lyoung@timesfreepress.com and follow him on Twitter @youngsports22.