Dunwoody's Run at State Crown Ends at Home Versus Effingham County

bowed out of the Class AAAA title hunt on a chilly Tuesday night, swept in the quarterfinals by an Effingham County team that belied its third-seed status.

The visitors gave up just three hits in an opening 10-0 win and came from behind to clinch Game 2, 5-2, in the best-of-three series.

For the Wildcats, who had developed a knack of overcoming tough opponents throughout an exciting postseason, Effingham was just too strong on the night.

“We ran up against a tough team,” said Dunwoody coach Chan English. “Total credit, they’re a heck of a team.”

Effingham County’s Ryan Frederick completed all seven innings of the opener and received a lot of support from the offense.

The Rebels took advantage of an error and two hits to move into a 2-0 first-inning lead.

Dunwoody started the third inning with two-straight errors, allowing runners to reach first and second base. An Eric Knox double added to a sacrifice fly brought in three more runs.

James Farnell came in later in the frame, but made way for Jason Tompkins during a five-run, fifth inning for the Rebels.

Game 2; however, started much better for the hosts. Logan Elliot threw a three-inning shutout, while his teammates moved Dunwoody ahead, 2-0, in a two-hit fourth inning.

Charlie Madden opened with a single and then Jared Martin bunted aboard, setting up Zach Tonner to drive in a run with a sacrifice grounder.

Stelen Stulberger also scored, owing to a wild pitch by Austin Denney, who threw six of seven innings for a shutout.

Effingham rallied with four runs in the fifth inning. The Rebels loaded the bases before Tyler Mingledorff singled to bring in the two tying runs. A Denney base hit accounted for another two runs, and Dunwoody trailed 4-2.

Darren Driggers’ solo home run in the sixth inning made things harder for the Wildcats, who had won 13 of their last 15 games in reaching the third round.

“As a team, these guys came together and played the best they could do,” said English, full of praise for his players. “This has been the best season of my coaching career. They’re great kids, and if you look, there’s not a dry eye out here. These guys love each other and love playing the game.”