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GHSA Playoff Round-Up: Wednesday, April 29th

April 30, 2026
Prep Baseball Georgia
Staff

It is playoff time in the state of Georgia, the best time of the year. As we nearly hit the 300 game mark in the regular season, we have 400 games in site with a full slate of playoffs the next month.

We will be recapping each day of games, so be sure to check back daily to see how the games went

Kell @ Harris County (DH)

Score: GM1: Kell win, 6-2 GM2: Harris County win, 9-6

Standouts:

Cayden Dimitri, OF, 2028, Harris County

Evan Brand, SS, 2027, Kell

Daejeon Elder, SS, 2026, Harris County

Dom Consolino, LHP, 2028, Kell

Preston Bottoms, OF, 2027, Kell

Luke Goudie, OF, 2029, Harris County

Brock Burrus, OF, 2027, Kell

Brayden Hatcher, OF, 2028, Kell

Key Moments:

GM1: The Longhorns got on the board in the 1st thanks to an Evan Brand lead-off double and a Preston Bottoms sacrifice fly as they led 1-0. Harris County responded as Luke Goudie blasted a no-doubt 2-run homerun to take the lead 2-1. Kell took advantage of a couple of errors in the 3rd inning and posted 3-runs to take a 4-1 lead. The Kell lead grew in the 5th inning behind a Brock Burrus RBI extra-base hit and he came around to score on a passed ball as it was now 6-2. This would remain the final and Kell took game one.

GM2: Kell’s offense applied the pressure early as they jumped out to a 4-0 lead with a lead-off double from Evan Brand and a trio of RBI knocks from Sam Castleberry, Ashton Murphy, and Kaleb Narcisse. The Tigers would answer back however in the top half of the 2nd inning as they posted 5-runs. Luke McEldoon reached on an infield single followed by a Cayden Dimitri RBI triple. Sam Harkins drove in Dimitri with a sacrifice fly to make it 4-2. Jacob Gilstrap reached on a bloop single and Luke Goudie stayed hot as he picked up an RBI single to make it 4-3. Daejeon Elder delivered in a huge way as he blasted a go-ahead 2-run homerun over the left-field wall to take a 5-4 lead going to the bottom half of the 2nd. The Tigers tacked on another run in the 3rd as Sam Harkins chipped in with another sacrifice fly as it was now 6-4. 2-runs would come across for Harris County in the 5th after a Luke McEldoon double and a Cayden Dimitri RBI triple as it was now an 8-4 lead. Kell cut into the deficit in the 6th as Brayden Hatcher brought home a run via an RBI double as it was now 8-5 Tigers on top. Harris County added a run in the top half of the 7th after Cayden Dimitri led off the inning with a double and came around to score to make it 9-5. Brock Burrus drew a walk in the bottom half of the 7th and came around to score as it was now 9-6. That would be all that would come across in the 7th however, as Harris County took game 2 by a final of 9-6 and split the series.

Avery’s Takeaway: It was evident that these two battled tested squads would go back and forth across the series. Both teams pitching showed well in game 1 with Dom Consolino for Kell and Daejeon Elder for Harris County. Evan Brand paced the offense in as he continued to stay hot across the playoffs and led Kell to a 6-2 victory. Harris County would bounce back in game 2 on the heels of a 4 extra-base hit game from Cayden Dimitri and a 2-run home run from Daejeon Elder. Luke Goudie is another name to note for the Tigers who swung it well across the series with a 2-run homerun in game 1 and added a pair of knocks in game 2. The Tigers will look to carry momentum from game 2 over into the deciding game 3 in what is shaping out to be another competitive contest.

Union Grove @ Marist

Score: Union Grove sweep, 13-1 & 3-0

Standouts:

Isaiah Cador, SS, 2028, Union Grove

Daiden James, OF, 2029, Union Grove

Colton Burtch, RHP, 2027, Union Grove

Derrick Aull, RHP, 2028, Union Grove

Martin Shelar, OF, 2026, Marist

Key Moments:

GM1: Union Grove would set the tone for the series early with a 4-run first inning that showed the Wolverines having the first 5 reach base and capping off the inning with RBI knocks from RBI singles from Braylen Brown and Daiden James. Marist would get a run back in the bottom after a Martin Shelar triple and Connor Bok RBI single to bring him home but that would unfortunately be the only offense the War Eagles would put together against Colton Burtch, who has now thrown back-to-back playoff CGs. bats would continue to produce for Union Grove, adding 2 runs a piece in both the 3rd and 4th innings before exploding for 5 in the 5th that was punctuated by a ringing 3-run HR from Isaiah Cador that slammed off the scoreboard in a hurry.

GM2: After escaping an early Martin Shelar double in the first inning, Wolverines would jump out to an early lead in GM2 thanks to an RBI 2B from Dylan Davis in the 1st followed by back-to-back RBI 1B from Brian Ward and Colin Walker in the 2nd would have Union grove up 3 early. That would be all that DJ Aull would need as the sophomore RHP was masterful in the deciding game with a complete game 3-hitter with 6 K and generating soft contact throughout. Lived in the low, outer-half of the zone with advanced command across the entire game with an aptitude to miss barrels at will.

Ian’s Takeaway: After a hard-fought battle in round one, Union Grove came out with a vengeance last night on the round and looked dangerous in the sweep. The duo of Colton Burtch and DJ Aull kept the Marist lineup under control all night to the tune of back-to-back CG outings while allowing a combined one earned run across both games. Isaiah Cador showed off the electric profile at the top of the order throughout the night while providing excellent actions and hands at SS to lead the defense. The bat-to-ball skills throughout the lineup really stood out for the Wolverines with Dylan Davis and Daiden James leading the way with 3+ hits a piece in the doubleheader. Union Grove is riding a massive wave of confidence heading into what will be a heavyweight matchup with North Oconee and will be looking to come through with another road series win to find themselves in the Final Four.

Ware County @ Cartersville

Scores:
GM 1: Ware County 19 Cartersville 6
GM 2: Ware County 0 Cartersville 6
Standouts:
Cooper Reynolds, OF, 2027, Cartersville

David Vargas, SS, 2028, Cartersville

Brayden Logan, OF, 2026, Cartersville

Nolan Elrod, LHP, 2026, Cartersville

Isaiah White, SS, 2027, Ware County

Landon Smallwood, 1B, 2026, Ware County

Slade Sweat, OF, 2026, Ware County


Key Moments:
G1: Cartersville kicked off the action in game after a leadoff walk and David Vargas single, Cooper Reynolds delivered a 3-run, no doubt home run to put them up early. Ware County offense would wake up after a 2 out double from Seth Suess. Landon Smallwood then shot one backside to get the Gators on the board. Isaiah White came through in a massive moment with 2 strikes and 2 outs and delivered a 3 run blast to take the lead 4-3. Cartersville offense would strike back in the 4th after a Brayden Logan 1B, Davis Vargas came through again with a pull side double to make it 5-4. Cole Crawford tied the game on a SAC and Nolan Elrod had the go ahead single to make it 6-5. From there the Gators would capitalize on nearly every free base and mistake from the Purple Hurricanes. Slade Sweat delivered a double and no doubt home run to left. White would also add a double to his 3 hit night. The bottom of the order came up big for the Gators with clutch knocks from Keaton Holloway, Garrison Joyner and Colt Cox. They would go on to take game 1 19-6.

G2:
It is always tough to come back from a momentum shift game like they had in game 1, and that goes from both sides. Cartersville answered the bell with a leadoff double from Brayden Logan, followed by a towering 3-run blast from Cole Crawford for the early 3-0 lead. Logan would come through again in the 2nd with a low line drive home run to make it 5-0. Isaiah White came in on the mound for the Gators and held the offense at bay for most of the game, but Nolan Elrod was locked in, tossing a shut out with 10 strikeouts. The Gators had some chances, but Elrod was able to work out of the runners in scoring position jams. Gianni Gandy would add one more run late to make 6-0 and send the series to a game 3.

Huddy’s Takeaway:

The staff got eyes on Ware County early in the year, and Ian checked in on Cartersville last week, but it was my first look at both teams. I was excited to see the Cartersville line up that has a good mix of upperclass and underclass talent. David Vargas and Cooper Reynold stood out right away. I have seen Vargas in the past, but it was great to see him in this setting. The competitiveness really stood out and the plate presence has really matured since last year. Reynolds is a guy I have seen a lot of as well, but he looks like a different player than when we saw him in the summer and even in the Preseason. He has added some size that has brought the power at the plate into play that has really transformed his game. He added his 4th home run in the last couple week last night and is going to be a must see bat this summer. The Ware County offense was scrappy and capitalized on any and all mistakes. Isaiah White stood out with 3 hits in game 1, including a go ahead bomb. I liked the way he was bouncing around pregame at short stop and ended up finding out he was their QB as well. Always love finding the athletes and seems like they always show up in the playoffs. It will be an exciting game 3 with Slade Sweat on the mound for the Gators, which should give them a chance right off the bat.

Cedartown @ North Oconee

Score:
GM 1: North Oconee wins 8-1
GM 2: North Oconee wins 9-0

Standouts:

Ryan Trout, RHP, 2027, North Oconee

Connor Omara, SS/2B, 2026, North Oconee

Ace Allen, SS/3B, 2026, Cedartown

Landyn Dykes, C/1B, 2026, North Oconee

Camron Rollins, 2B/1B, 2026, North Oconee

Wyatt Bull, RHP, 2026, North Oconee

Carter Moon, 2B/OF, 2027, North Oconee

Key Moments:

G1: North Oconee was ready to go from the first inning of Game 1. Ryan Trout started for the Titans and was all over the zone with a very effective two-pitch mix. His fastball sat 86–88 and he showed the ability to command it to all parts of the plate. The curveball was his best pitch, as he threw it in any count and generated plenty of chases out of the zone. Camron Rollins kicked things off in the bottom of the first with a stand-up triple off the RF wall. He came around to score on a sac fly from Connor O’Mara to put the Titans up early. North Oconee added more on a few walks and a single from Dykes to take a 4–0 lead heading into the fourth inning. Ace Allen worked a deep count and sent one to RF for a base hit, advanced to second on a sac bunt, and came around to score on a double from Everett Perkins to make it 4–1. Rollins led off the bottom of the fourth with his second triple of the game and later scored on a single from O’Mara to make it 5–1. The Titans added another run on an error to extend the lead to 6–1 heading into the sixth. Trout was in control the entire game and only got behind a couple of hitters all night. Dykes added some insurance with a two-run home run to LF, making it an 8–1 final.

G2: North Oconee was the away team in Game 2 and jumped out to a 3–0 lead thanks to a leadoff single from Rollins and an RBI double from O’Mara. Dykes followed with an RBI single up the middle and later came around to score on a sac fly. Wyatt Bull got the start in Game 2 and filled up the zone with a fastball/cutter combo. Carter Moon led off the third inning with a rocket the other way and came around to score on a single from Harris Chafin to make it 4–0. Ace Allen recorded the first hit of Game 2 with a backside single in the fifth. Moon added a solo home run to RF to make it 5–0, and O’Mara went deep for a two-run homer to continue adding on for the Titans. North Oconee went on to take Game 2, 9–0.

Takeaway: North Oconee continued its momentum in the Sweet 16. The thing that stood out was the way they attacked the zone, issuing just three walks across two games. Trout and Bull filled it up from the jump and were not afraid to let the defense work behind them. The lineup is deep and does a good job of working counts and putting the ball in play. Cedartown fought, but was not able to get anything going against the arms from North Oconee. Expect North Oconee to continue to be a tough out in 4A, as they show depth in both the lineup and on the mound. They play with tons of energy and are always looking to make winning plays for each other. There is a good mix of bat-to-ball skills with plenty of juice throughout the lineup. They also do a great job of controlling the pace of the game and forcing opponents to play on their terms.

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