Dunwoody Eliminates Lambert, Heads to Next Round of AAAA Playoffs

Facing game three in the second round of the state Class AAAA playoffs with ace pitcher Wes Bancroft in the hospital, Dunwoody had no choice but to come out swinging their bats Thursday–and they did just that.

The Wildcats (19-9) exploded for 10 runs in the first inning to beat Lambert 19-10, winning the best-of-three series and advance to next week's quarterfinal showdown at home against Effingham County.

After the game, Coach Chan English said, "This was for Wes."

English and the Wildcats learned earlier in the week that Bancroft is suffering from a ruptured spleen and has been admitted to the intensive care unit at a local hospital. During the post-game meeting, English told his players to remember Bancroft, who, for the past two years has been the ace of the Wildcats pitching staff, in their prayers.

Jeric Johnson, Jared Martin, Zack Tonner, Stelen Stulberger, Cam Young and Dwayne Brock all contributed hits to the 10-run, first-inning fireworks. Martin and Young both had two-run singles as the Wildcats opened up a commanding lead.

Dunwoody kept the pressure on by scoring at least once in every inning from that point on. The Wildcats scored one run in the second, third and fifth innings, two in the fourth and three in the sixth.

Lambert (21-10) did what good teams do. They never quit. They scored three runs each in the second, fourth and fifth innings to stay in the game. But a 10-run deficit was just too much to overcome.

After the game, Coach Jamie Corr said he was very proud of his team.

"Sometimes winning doesn't lie in just wins and losses," he said. "Sometimes it's in how you fight for a victory. Going up against that 10-spot in the first inning, our players didn't give up a bit."

Corr also said he was proud of the senior class and how hard they worked to build the fledgling program at Lambert.

He also gave credit to the victors.

"Dunwoody came out from the start looking like they were hungry for it. All the credit goes to their guys for doing what they needed to do to get the win."

Johnson and Stulberger led the Wildcats offense with three hits apiece. James Cunningham contributed a solo homer in the third inning.

Caden Bailey, who went 3-for-5, was Lambert's leading hitter. Teammate Brock Maxwell contributed two hits, including a two-run homer in the fourth inning.

Righthander Ryan Gaines, tossed 4 1/3 innings to pick up the win for Dunwoody.