Bainbridge baseball advances to GIAA second round of playoffs
Published 10:48 am Wednesday, April 30, 2025
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Bainbridge Bearcats baseball opened their GIAA 3A first-round state playoff series with a convincing 9-3 victory over Calhoun. BHS head coach Ryan Riles attributed his team’s composure at the plate as a key factor in the game one win.
“We talked about staying patient early in the game,” Riles said. “We noticed their pitcher was struggling with control, so we focused on taking advantage of walks and making sure we got the pitches we wanted to drive. If they gave us opportunities, we were going to take them.”
That approach paid off, as the Bearcats drew six walks and turned three of them into runs during their five-run first inning, where BHS batted around the order.
One of the standout moments from game one came from freshman No. 3 second baseman Benji Dollar, who delivered a crucial two-run hit in the first inning. Despite his young age, he showed impressive composure, working the pitch count and taking what the pitcher gave him. “He’s got a great baseball IQ,” Riles said. “He plays like a seasoned veteran—aggressive when needed and smart when working the count.”
Catcher No. 34 Graham Beckham, the reliable anchor behind the plate, delivered in the clutch with runners in scoring position, going 2-for-3 with three RBIs, including a two-run double in the sixth. Right fielder Amarion Donaldson continued his strong hitting, going 2-for-2 with a sixth-inning double.
On the defensive side, Bearcat outfielders played a pivotal role in securing the win. Their ability to track down the baseball kept Calhoun from gaining any offensive rhythm. “Outfielders can feel isolated sometimes, but I always tell them to stay ready,” Riles said. “Both guys (Luke Griffin and Daniel Reynolds) made great plays, showing their awareness and reaction speed.”
Junior pitcher No. 8 Brooks Hines battled throughout his outing, wearing his emotions on his sleeve. While his competitive fire was evident, it was his ability to set the tone early that impressed Riles the most. “It’s important in a playoff series to establish control,” he said. “Brooks did that for us, and it helped keep us in a strong position.”
Hines, fresh off a dominant performance against the Grace Christian Academy Cougars, once again went the distance in his latest outing, tossing 7.0 innings on 97 pitches. He faced 32 Jacket batters, recorded seven strikeouts, issued only one walk, and surrendered three earned runs.
Thomas University commit and Bearcats ace No. 10 Parker Landrum led the charge in Game 2, continuing his impressive run. His fourth straight complete game saw him limit the Jackets to five hits while fanning six batters, securing a commanding 4-0 win with an efficient 75-pitch performance.
Dollar continued his hot streak, driving in first baseman Bowen Smith with an RBI single to center field to put Bainbridge ahead early, again. Griffin scored twice, while sophomore shortstop Jake Barber batted .500, recording a single in the fifth and reaching on a fielder’s choice in the sixth.
Griffin reached on an error after a bunt in the fifth, scoring Barber and advancing to third base on the same play. Another miscue allowed Griffin to score, extending Bainbridge’s lead to 3-0. Smith was hit by a pitch in the seventh, setting up Griffin’s second run to add an insurance score.
With the game two victory, the Bearcats jumped above .500 with a 13-12 record.
Riles emphasized the importance of making matchup adjustments in a playoff series, explaining that hosting games provides an advantage, but teams must still adapt based on scouting reports and adjust strategies to maximize their chances of success.
“In a situation like this, ideally you want to keep everybody fresh, thank God we have no injuries,” Riles said. “But continue to push and be involved, breaking down the scouting reports on different teams, you really have to sit there and analyze pitchers’ command, where they favor throwing, and analyze where hitters favor to drive the ball too.”
The Bearcats now prepare for their next challenge, a three-game series in the Sweet 16 against region opponent the Peach County Trojans, beginning Thursday, May 1 at 4:00 p.m. They’ll play two games Thursday afternoon in Fort Valley, and a Game three will be played if necessary Friday at 1:00 p.m. at Peach County High School.
