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Florala built an eight-run lead and held on for an 8-4 win against Fayetteville in the third game of a second-round state baseball playoff series on Friday, April 25.

The Wildcats improved to 19-8 and punched their ticket to the quarterfinals for the second straight year. The Wolves ended the year at 21-12.

“I’m proud of how resilient our team was Friday. We had great energy and enthusiasm all game long. Last year in the playoffs, we played a game 3 in Sweet Water in the fourth round and were not able to get the win. I feel like that experience last year gave us a better chance this season,” Head Coach Tyler Zessin said.

Noah Bryan quickly set down the opposition on six pitches in the top of the first. Easton Walsh drew a leadoff walk in the bottom half and scored after Jacob Laura laid down a bunt and reached on an error. Brenton Cantrell fought back and kept the score 1-0 after an inning.

Cameron Hammonds singled with one out in the second. Chase Griffin took a walk as Hammonds stole third and set up a prime scoring opportunity for Fayetteville. However, Bryan worked out of the jam and preserved the one-run lead.

Momentum stayed with the home side as Florala gained some breathing room with three runs. Rayshon Coleman and Ayden Brooks started the frame with back-to-back singles before Dawson Reeves was hit by a pitch. Gage Davis then ripped an RBI single and brought home Coleman with the second run. After a strikeout, Walsh plated Brooks and courtesy runner Nathan Cook for a 4-0 lead after two innings.

Bryan continued his good work on the mound and struck out two Wolves in the top of the third. Dalton Jackson opened the bottom half with a double and advanced to third on a passed ball. Bryan drove home Jackson with an RBI single as the Wildcats took a 5-0 lead after three innings.

Bryan recorded two strikeouts as Fayetteville went 1-2-3 in the visiting fourth.

Davis started the home portion of the frame with a single. Greyson West and Walsh each reached on sacrifice bunts and loaded the bases with nobody out. Following a lineout, Jackson delivered a clutch three-run double and brought Davis, West, and Walsh home. Coleman walked with two outs but was unable to advance, but Florala carried an 8-0 lead after four innings.

Bryan induced a pair of fly outs and a groundout for another scoreless frame in the top of the fifth. Reeves had a single and Davis walked, but Blake McDaniel retired the next three batters as the score stayed 8-0 after five innings.

The Wolves finally broke through with three runs in the sixth. Cantrell reached second on an error and moved to third when Eli Burns grounded out. Ethan Jones was then hit by a pitch before Carter Goins had an RBI single and scored Cantrell. Hammonds followed with a two-run single and brought in courtesy runner Braydon Williams and Goins.

The Wildcats loaded the bases with two outs in the bottom half after Bryan, Brooks, and Reeves were each hit by a pitch. Axel Culberson took over on the mound and escaped the threat as the score remained 8-3 after six innings.

Connor Crumpton led off the top of the seventh with a single and advanced to second when Eli Franklin reached on a defensive miscue. Burns plated Crumpton on an RBI groundout, but Bryan struck out Jones and ended the game.

Davis finished 2-for-3 with a run scored and an RBI, while Jackson was 2-for-4 with a run scored and three RBIs. Walsh went 1-for-2 with two runs scored and two RBIs. Bryan earned the complete-game win and allowed four runs (two earned) on four hits with seven strikeouts.

Florala will visit Leroy (24-9) in the quarterfinal round on Friday, May 2, with a doubleheader beginning at 5 p.m. If a third game is needed, it will be played on Saturday, May 3, at 1 p.m.

“Next round, we travel to Leroy, which is a very tough place to play. If you can make it to support your Wildcats, please do so. We need a huge fan base to travel with us,” Zessin said.