BUDE – Freshman Greg Eiland hit a towering 2-run homer and the Philadelphia Tornados collected a 5-3 win over Franklin County in Game 1 of the best-of-three series in the MHSAA Class 3A State Baseball Playoffs. Eiland a 6-foot-5, 220-pound first baseman, changed the game with one swing in the top half of the fifth inning. His shot over the centerfield wall helped the Tornados take a 3-2 lead. FCHS held a 2-0 advantage for four innings before watching it evaporate.

The Bulldogs (14-9) gave up two more runs in the sixth before adding one of their own in bottom of the seventh.

“Give Philadelphia credit; they are a good team,” said FC coach Brent Calcote. “We didn’t make the routine plays and that hurt us.”

Sophomore Ethan Verdin suffered the loss, despite striking out three batters.

At the plate, Derrick Brumfield, Bernard Selmon, Caleb Fairley, Bryce White, and Landon Nelson each had a double. Verdin added two stolen bases.

Pitcher Johntrell Pickens collected the win for Philadelphia with seven strikeouts and two walks.