BUDE – Despite off and on rain showers around the area Saturdayevening, the Franklin County Diamond Dawgs found a way to eliminateMorton and advance to the second round of the 3A StatePlayoffs.

The Bulldogs (13-8) will travel to No. 1 ranked Sumrall (28-0)Thursday night beginning at 7. On Friday the Bulldogs play host toSumrall at 6 in the Swamp. Game 3 if necessary would be Saturday atSumrall beginning at 7.

“We live to play another week,” said FC head baseball coachBrent Calcote. “It was sloppy Saturday but we won two biggames.”

FCHS rallied after losing Game 1 of the series at Morton 7-4Friday night. On Saturday, the Dawgs won 5-1 and 6-4 behind thepitching efforts of Colton Laird and DeHendret Collins.

“Our defense made some really good plays,” added Calcote. “We’vegot to have that happen this week too.”

Last year Sumrall, the defending 3A champions eliminated theBulldogs in the third round of the playoffs. FC, the No. 2 seed outof Region 7-3A is the only left playing in the division.

North Pike, Tylertown, and South Pike were eliminatedSaturday.

FC 5, Morton 1

Junior southpaw DeHendret Collins threw a 7-inning gem, strikingout three and walking two. The FC defense also got two double playsfrom its midfield combo of Austin McFarland and Hunter Hatcher.

At the plate, McFarland led the Dawgs with three singles and astolen base. Senior Jordan Hunt added a single and a stolenbase.

FC 6, Morton 4

FC junior Colton Laird struck out four, despite giving up twohome runs to Morton junior Ryan Woods.

The Bulldogs got some defensive heroics from sophomoreoutfielder Calvin Johnson who robbed the Panthers of more runs witha third inning snag.

At the plate, senior catcher Christian Johnston ripped a triple.DeHendret Collins also plated a triple and stole a base. McFarland,Laird, Hatcher, and sophomore Preston Shelton each had asingle.