'It prepares you for life': Greenbrier, Harlem baseball to host elite eight games Saturday
A pair of area baseball teams continue to find ways to win ball games.
Greenbrier (AAAAA) and Harlem (AAA) both earned spots in the Georgia High School Association elite eight in their respective classifications. While their paths to the quarterfinals may look a bit different, both programs seem to be primed for a possible state championship appearance.
More than baseball for Greenbrier
Trailing Northside (Columbus) 5-2 in an elimination game Monday, the Wolfpack dropped the hammer on the Patriots in a 15-5, mercy-rule win to advance to the elite eight.
Coach David Barnes wasn’t the least bit shocked.
“We’ve played pretty hard all season long and today was a picture of that. You look at our season as a whole, we got down early, we got down multiple times and we just kept fighting back,” he said, holding his son, David, after the game. “That’s a testament to these kids; their heart, the way they’ve prepared, the way they’ve practiced, the way they believe in one another.”
Thanks to a pair of clutch hits from senior Mark Abell and sophomore Bryson Bell, Greenbrier turned what was a back-and-forth game into a 6-5 lead. After that, the wheels fell off for Northside, which previously won Game 2 in convincing fashion.
“Northside came up here and played their butts off," Barnes said. “They did a heck of a job and they really pushed us to the limit, but luckily we found a way to pull it off.”
Greenbrier (28-5) has now won six of its last seven games. The Wolfpack didn’t make it this far by accident. Moments from this series can serve as reference points for the team to look back on as they progress through the state playoffs.
According to Barnes and company, it’s about so much more than baseball.
“We’ve faced adversity all season long. First and foremost, it prepares you for life. That’s the whole thing about high school athletics. You’re preparing yourself for life,” he said. “When we look up, hopefully in the next round, and things are not going our way, this is something we can draw back on and pull a little bit of extra strength from.”
Greenbrier will host Cartersville Saturday in the state quarterfinals. First pitch of the doubleheader is scheduled for 2 p.m. and, if needed, Game 3 will be held Monday at 5 p.m.
Harlem baseball road warriors
The Bulldogs (30-1) have steamrolled through the first two rounds of the postseason, sweeping Long County at home and Thomasville on the road.
It's somewhat of a peculiar situation for a 30-win team to be playing on the road this soon, but narrowly losing the Region 4-AAA title to Morgan County put Harlem in this situation. Regardless of the location, the Bulldogs have continued to prove they are one of the best teams in Georgia (regardless of classification).
Led by Clemson signee Tryston McCladdie and a host of talented arms, Harlem has been here before. The Bulldogs fell to North Hall at home in this very round a year ago. Coach Jimmie Lewis' squad has been there and done that, but now they're looking for more.
Harlem is back at home Saturday, hosting Gordon Lee (22-9) in the quarterfinals. Game 1 of the doubleheader begins at 2 p.m. and, if needed, Game 3 takes place 4 p.m. Monday.
This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Greenbrier, Harlem baseball host opponents in GHSA elite eight
