Shaw has to win two today

Shaw was one strike away from earning a split in its Class AAA quarterfinal series with Carrollton.

But the Raiders will likely need to win a pair of games this afternoon to advance to the semifinals for the second time in four years.

After losing 16-1 in four innings in the opening game, Shaw led 4-2 in the fifth inning when play was halted for a weather delay on Tuesday.

The Trojans were batting with two outs, and there was a 2-2 count on the hitter when the game was stopped. If Shaw had gotten the third out, the game would have been an official game.

“It was devastating to know that you were one pitch away,” Shaw coach Mike Getkin said. “But there is nothing that you really can do. It’s baseball. So who knows what is going to happen when we go out there (today).”

After waiting for two hours, the umpires finally called the game. Now, it appears that the game will be started over. The Georgia High School Association rules state, “When a game is stopped before it becomes a legal game – 4.5 or 5 innings – it is considered ‘no contest’ and any replay will begin from the first inning.”

Shaw and Carrollton will resume the series today at 4 p.m. The winner will advance to take on Stephens County.

The Raiders might need to rely on their offense this afternoon as they will be short on pitching. Brandon Day, who was Shaw’s No. 3 starter, suffered a season-ending dislocated shoulder during the second round against Burke County last Wednesday.

Cam Greathouse, who threw 66 pitches in Game 1, could pitch a couple innings for the Raiders. Gage McRae, Marc Eide and Dustin Averett are also possibilities.

Donte Williams, who struk out nine in 4 2/3 innings before Game 2 was called, will likely start this afternoon.