HARLEM – Before their loss in the second game of Thursday’s doubleheader, it had been three years since the Harlem Bulldogs lost a playoff game. They bounced back Friday to win the series over Whitewater.
The Bulldogs defeated the Wildcats 5-2 in the final game of a three-game series to advance to the third round of the Georgia High School Baseball State Playoffs on May 2.
Harlem forced Friday’s rubber game after splitting Thursday’s doubleheader. The Bulldogs won the first game 6-0, followed by a 2-1 loss in the second game.
The last playoff loss in 2022 led to the team’s elimination in the Elite Eight by North Hall.
“We lost that second game where we couldn’t hit the ball and that was kind of a demoralizing loss,” said Harlem Baseball Coach Jimmie Lewis. “This crowd out here came to play today, and they knew if they didn’t win, they would not go further. They played good defense, and Walker Spivey pitched a good a ball game as I have ever seen and we hit the ball like we needed to. We beat very good team, that might be the best team we played all year.”
The Bulldog fans always come out and support, but the crowd really packed the field Friday and Lewis was thankful for their support.
“When they’re here, we play much better and they were here in force today,” Lewis said.
The Bulldogs jumped ahead 4-0 early, but Whitewater scored two runs in the top of the sixth to make the score 4-2 going into the final inning on Friday.
Harlem earned another run after an error in the top of the seventh by Whitewater. Walker Spivey and the Bulldogs defense held off the Whitewater offense to hang on and win game three 5-2.
Harlem now advances to the Elite Eight for their sixth consecutive season and will play Pickens on Wednesday, May 7. The time of the game is to be announced.
Christopher Rickerson, an Augusta University graduate, has covered area sports for publications including Augusta University‘s Bell Ringer and Augusta Good News. Subscribe to the Augusta Good News’ free weekly newsletter here.
