The Bainbridge Bearcats will square off against the No. 1 ranked AAAAA team in baseball, according to the AJC, this Thursday for the first round of the state tournament.

The Bearcats are 17-11 (5-7 Region 1-AAAAA) and fourth in the region. The Yellow Jackets are from Region 2-AAAAA and sport a 26-4 (12-0 region) record.

Bainbridge is still rolling along with an 8-game win streak that started against Warner Robins on April 6, including a win over rival Cairo, a comeback victory against Tift County (7A) and another rally win against Madison County (Florida) last Friday.

Starting pitchers for Wayne County are J.T. Crosby, followed by Jasper Dubberly and a combination of Brice Miller and Gant Starling. Ford Townsend is typically used as a closer.

“They got a lot of good players,” said coach Brian McCorkle. “It will be a big challenge for us. The pitchers do a good job of filling the strike zone and the other players do a good job fielding the baseball.”

McCorkle said to get the offense going, Bainbridge will need to get good swings on good pitches.

“We have got to execute,” said McCorkle. “Make sure we are swinging at good pitches. We have got to play defense and find ways to get on base when we can and how we can.”

McCorkle emphasized they are going to Wayne County to win, and they can win.

Game one against Wayne County will be Thursday at 4:30 p.m., followed by game two. If needed, game three will be Friday at 4:30 p.m.

Last Friday, Bainbridge snatched the lead late in the game in a 7-5 victory over Madison County on Friday. The game was tied at five with the Bearcats batting in the bottom of the sixth when.

Bainbridge earned the victory despite allowing Madison County to score five runs in the fifth inning. Dylan Bass, Drew Annett, and Jay Mitchell powered the big inning with RBIs.

Bainbridge got on the board in the first inning. Conner Strickland singled on a 2-2 count, scoring one run.

Bainbridge tallied three runs in the fifth inning. Strickland, Will Kelley, and Caleb Boutwell all contributed in the big inning with RBIs.

Nick Barber took the win for Bainbridge. He lasted six innings, allowing four hits and five runs while striking out ten. Kelley threw one inning in relief out of the bullpen. Kelley recorded the last three outs to earn the save for the Bearcats

Dawson Rutherford took the loss for Madison County. He lasted one and two-thirds innings, allowing one hit and two runs.

Bass started the game for Madison County. He lasted four and a third innings, allowing five hits and five runs while striking out two.

Bainbridge High School Varsity saw the ball well today, racking up six hits in the game. Strickland and Quayde Hawkins all managed multiple hits for Bainbridge High School Varsity. Hawkins and Strickland each collected two hits to lead Bainbridge High School Varsity.

Dustin Bass led Madison County with two hits in three at bats.