WOODSTOCK — The formula was simple.
Shutdown pitching and crooked numbers on the scoreboard.
Matthew Sharman and Jackson Rose were dominant on the mound, while big innings in both games led Etowah to a sweep of Carrollton with 10-3 and 11-1 wins Tuesday night.
The Eagles (32-2) will make their fourth consecutive trip to the state quarterfinals, hosting Parkview for a best-of-three series beginning next Wednesday.
“Sharman had his good stuff again on both sides of the plate,” Etowah coach Greg Robinson said. “He gave up some hits, but he responded after that. He just finds a way to get people out. He has such a good arsenal of pitches, and Rose did the same thing.”
As the Game 1 starter, Sharman pitched six innings of two-run ball and notched his fourth straight outing with double-digit strikeouts (11). He fanned 14 batters in Etowah’s playoff-opener against Richmond Hill.
However, it was still somewhat of a bounce-back game for the Georgia commit after he surrendered five runs — four earned — on 11 hits last week.
“That’s the Sharman we are all used to,” Robinson said. “He pitches ahead, stays down and throws three pitches for strikes. That’s the Sharman everybody loves. I still love him when he doesn’t have his stuff, but that’s our guy, and he gets us back in the dugout to swing the bat.”
Rose was just as good in Game 2, allowing one run on one hit across five innings with 12 strikeouts.
At the plate, Etowah homered four times, with one in each game from catcher Caden Borcherding. Sharman hit a long ball in Game 2 to back Rose, while Cam Boulanger crushed a homer late in the series opener.
The Eagles totaled 23 hits between the two games, led by Borcherding’s 5-for-6 line and six RBIs.
“We battled at the plate tonight,” Robinson said. “I was pleased with our approach, and we didn’t go outside the zone much. We had a plan, and we knew it would be a battle. Those dudes made some loud outs. They ran well and they played good defense. It’s just playoff baseball, and Carrollton has a really good team.”
Etowah will play host to another state power in Parkview (26-9), which made quick work of Region 3AAAAA champion Hillgrove the second round.
The Eagles and Panthers have not met on the diamond since 2018.
Parkview is the only thing on Robinson’s mind as Etowah continues to glide through its postseason series. The Eagles are not looking ahead, though, despite being clear contenders for a second consecutive state championship.
“I don’t even look at the brackets,” Robinson said. “I don’t care about all that stuff. I’ve never been one to read all these press clippings, rankings and ratings. That’s just meaningless. What matters is getting 21 outs, scoring runs and playing good defense.”
Post a comment as Anonymous Commenter
Report
Watch this discussion.