Harlem Advances to Second Round of State Playoffs

Harlem High School won its fifth and sixth consecutive post season contests Wednesday, defeating McIntosh County Academy 1-0 and 4-1 in the opening round of the Georgia High School Association (GHSA) state playoffs.

After impressive pitching from both teams led to a 0-0 score in the bottom of the final inning of game one, Junior Lindsey Stokes' walk off single scored teammate Christian Mullis from second base.  Mullis was in scoring position after two successful bunts, one by Mullis to reach first base and another by Haley Mays to advance Mullis.

Video Highlights of the Dramatic Bottom of the 7th Inning

The game winning single was not the first dramatic moment for the Bulldogs' junior third baseman.  During Harlem's first region tournament sweep over East Laurens, Stokes blasted back to back home runs, including one with bases loaded, to start Harlem's post season run.

After a break between games, Stokes and Garrett combined again to provide the offensive and defensive firepower to complete the sweep with a 4-1 game two victory.  Watch all 21 of Garrett's strike outs, spanning two games, in this video package:

Introducing the Player360 K-Counter: Via Freshman Ace Amber Garrett

After Garrett held the Lady Buccaneers scoreless for most of the game, Stokes contributed back to back doubles in the fourth and fifth innings, producing three Bulldog runs.  But the first run, scored by Christian Mullis, was the result of a sacrifice bunt by Hayley Mays.

Harlem (26-7) will host region 4-AA runner up Bleckley County (16-14) Wednesday, October 17, in the second round of the class AA state playoffs.  The games will be broadcast live at NetCastSports.com.  Another series win will place the Lady Bulldogs into the elite eight round.