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The Troup County baseball team beat reigning AAAA champions Marist 10-5 in game three to advance to the quarterfinals of the playoffs. This was one of the biggest wins in the program’s recent history.

The Tigers got off to a blistering start with five runs in the first inning. Josh Mcdonald was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to score the first run of the game for the Tigers. Then the scorching bat of Reed Morris was brought to the plate, and he promptly delivered a grand slam. These four RBIs brought Morris’ playoff tally up to 14 as he has been the catalyst for the Tigers’ offense in their biggest games under the brightest lights.

Marist answered back with five runs in the second inning to tie the game, but it would be the last time the War Eagles scored in the game.

Ty Medders launched a solo home run in the top of the fourth inning to give the Tigers a 6-5 lead.

The Tigers would not surrender the lead the rest of the way, but there were some nervy moments down the stretch. The War Eagles loaded the bases with two outs in the bottom of the sixth and looked as if they might tie the game or take the lead, but Devon Murphy struck out the final batter of the inning to get the Tigers out of a jam.

Murphy decided to come in clutch from the plate too as he delivered an RBI single to score the Tigers first run in the top of the seventh to stretch the lead out to 7-5. Brett Haynes delivered a two RBI double to stretch the Tigers lead out even more. Haynes scored on a wild pitch later in the inning to give Troup a 10-5 lead.

The Tigers sat down the War Eagles in order in the bottom of the seventh inning to shut down any chance of a rally.

Morris and Murphy were the catalysts for the Tigers on the day. Morris went 1-for-3 with a team leading four RBIs, a walk and two runs scored. Murphy went 3-for-4 with two runs scored and an RBI. Murphy also pitched one and 2/3rds innings and only allowed one hit on three strikeouts.

Medders had a stellar night from the plate as well with a 2-for-3, two runs scored, a walk and an RBI. Daniel Martin had the other multi-hit game for the Tigers as he went 2-for-3 with two runs scored and a walk.

The Tigers used four pitchers — Demetrius Hardnett, Tripp Cummings, Martin and Murphy — with none pitching more than two and 1/3rd innings and combined to allow only one earned run on seven hits.

Troup will travel to take on Benedictine in the quarterfinals of the playoffs on May 9-10. The Tigers have been road warriors in the postseason as the two opening series were also on the road for Troup.