Bryson City – The Maroon Devil baseball team advanced in the NCHSAA 1A playoffs on Tuesday with a 7-3 win over visiting South Stanly. With the win the Devils advance to the 3rd round where they will host Union Academy next Tuesday (May 17th) at 6 o’clock.
Swain scored 3 runs in the bottom of the 1st inning, then added 3 more in the bottom of the 4th and held a commanding 7-1 lead until the 7th when South Stanly scored a pair of runs for the final margin of 7-3.
Charlie Collins picked up the win, working 5 1/3 innings. Collins gave up one run through his innings of work, while scattering 4 hits, 4 walks and striking out 7. Ronnie Griggs worked the final inning and 2/3 in relief. Griggs struck out 3 and gave up two unearned runs.
At the plate the Devils had a solid attack with 8 of 9 batters notching a hit. Carter Hayes was 3-3 with 2 doubles and an rbi. Carson Taylor added 2 more hits as he was 2-3 with 2 runs scored and an rbi. Will Jenkins drove in 2 runs with a solid single in the first inning. Charlie Collins, Lawson Woodard and Gabe Lillard drove in the other Maroon Devil runs.