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The GCA Cougars advanced to the next round of state on Monday afternoon, defeating Crisp Academy in a doubleheader, 15-0 and 20-1.

In the first game, Aiden Whittaker took to the mound and only allowed a single hit and no runs, striking out nine. At bat, Noah Smith singled in the first inning with one run. The Cougars expanded their lead in the fourth inning, with Whittaker, as well as Graham Beckham, Landon Temples and Keith Eidson each having runs batted in, for a total of six runs. Overall, in the first game, the Cougars made 13 hits, Whittaker, Temples, Smith, Beckham and Oathen Atkinson making multiple hits each, while multiple players stole bases; Eidson stole the most with three. The Cougars left Crisp Academy in the dust, 15-0 in the first game.

In the second game, Noah Smith stole the show, driving in multiple runs with hits in the first, fourth and sixth innings, including a triple and double in the sixth. The sixth inning was where the Cougars excelled the most, making 12 runs in the inning. Aside from Smith, Temples, Atkinson, Whittaker, Eidson, Spencer Blanton and Hines Roberts contributed to the huge lead gained.

Back on the pitcher’s mound, Atkinson struck out seven and walked one. Smith pitched one inning in relief, striking out three. The Cougars also stole multiple bases in the second game, this time with Smith leading the way with four.

The Cougars now advance to play against Robert Toombs Christian Academy in Lyons on Friday.