By SAM STAFF/Sports Writer

LUCEDALE — As expected, George County made quick work of Jackson Jim Hill in the Class 6A South State playoffs over the weekend.

The Rebels dispatched the Tigers with a pair of decisive five frame wins in less than 18 hours, taking game one at home Friday night 15-0 before heading to Jackson and winning game two 16-0 early Saturday afternoon.

George County got a pair of shutout performances on the mound in the mercy rule win and also struck for four home runs in the pair of games.

“We had great pitching out of our two starters and both relievers,” veteran Rebel head coach Brandon Davis said. “We allowed two hits total in the sweep. We did what we needed to offensively to win.”

In game one, Jacob Eubanks smacked a home run and drove in three runs for the Rebels, while Alex Wade had a triple and also posted three RBIs. Ben Davis had three hits, including a triple, and Tripp Lightsey had a big night at the plate with three hits, including two doubles, and he drove in a game-high four runs. Gage Reeves also had two hits for GCHS and Cayler Havard had two RBIs.

Andrew Nielsen started and picked up the win for the Rebels, while Bradyn Havard mopped up in relief.

On Saturday, in a game that started at Noon at the V Fields in Jackson, it was more of the same from the Rebels.

Green, Davis and Grant Reeves all belted home runs for GCHS, and the round-tripper by Davis was a grand slam. Cayler Havard had two hits and drove in two runs, while Garrett Dixon had a three-run double, Carson Pierce had a two-run double and Wade added a run-scoring double. 

Preston McAdory started and worked three innings to pick up the win, while Canyon Reeves finished up.

“Four home runs in two games is what you want to see in the playoffs,” Davis added. “However we know West Jones has elite pitching and we will need our best effort if we intend to make it to the next round in all phases of the game.”

The Rebels will face West Jones next after the Mustangs swept Hancock in two games over the weekend.

West Jones wrapped up the series with a 5-0 win in the Kiln on Saturday. It marked the second straight shutout win after a 2-0 win in Soso Friday night.

The Hawks managed just four hits in the loss Saturday, and Chace Brwon had half of those. Brandon Arcement, one of four Hancock hurlers, took the loss.

On Friday night, the Hawks managed just three hits. Matthew Cuevas went the distance on the hill and took the tough luck loss.