Colonels bow out of state playoffs with losses at North Springs

The Region 6-AAAAA champion North Springs Spartans completed an opening round sweep of the Cass Colonels Wednesday evening in Atlanta, 10-2 and 13-1.

North Springs advances to the second round of the Class 5A state playoffs and the Colonels’ season comes to a close.

NORTH SPRINGS 10, CASS 2

The Cass Colonels took an early 2-0 lead at North Springs Wednesday and still led 2-1 into the bottom of the third before the North Springs offense responded with 10 unanswered runs. The host Spartans went on to win Game 1 of the Class 5A state playoff series in Atlanta, 10-2.

North Springs pitcher Daniel Jackson hurled a complete game in the Spartans’ win. He scattered five hits, did not walk a batter, and fanned six yielding a pair of earned runs.

Cass starter Jayden Smith (4 IP, 7R, 6ER, 10H, 3BB, 2K) suffered the Game 1 pitching loss. Aidan Cottingim (1 IP, 1ER, 2H, 2K) and Matt Shook (1 IP, 2ER, 2H, 1BB) each pitching an inning of relief.

Tyler Jackson had four hits including a double for North Springs. Dylan Reid, Ross Reynolds, and Buck Olson had two hits each for the Spartans.

Shook and Aidan Larkin both had doubles for the Cass offense. Bentley Markley contributed a base hit and two RBIs. Kyle Miller and Matt Ballas each added a hit for the Colonels.

NORTH SPRINGS 13, CASS 1

North Springs starting pitcher Dylan Reid took a potential no hitter into the sixth inning in Game 2 of the Spartans’ playoff doubleheader with Cass.

Cass’ Aidan Larkin, who finished with a pair of hits, broke up the no-no with the first of his hits in the sixth.

Reid struck out six and walked one in the win. Andrew Frank closed out the seventh inning on the mound for the Spartans.

Jordan Gani (6 IP, 9ER, 9H, 12BB, 2K) took the pitching loss. Aidan Cottingim (1 IP, 4ER, 5H, 3K) also pitched for the Colonels.

North Springs (24-8) will host the Chamblee/Loganville winner in the second round starting Monday.

The Colonels season comes to a close with a 6-23 mark.