On Saturday, May 6, 2023, at Savannah Christian, the Raiders lost the first game of their Georgia High School Association Class 3A Elite Eight doubleheader against Oconee County 5-3. In game two, Savannah Christian came back strong. They beat the Warriors 8-1 to force an if game on Monday, May 8. Savannah Christian Raiders defeated Oconee County 10-8 in the deciding game on Monday. The Raiders knew they had to win to stay in the playoffs, and they did.
Josh Gates hit a home run to start the bottom of the first for the Raiders. Five more runs were scored by the Raiders in the first inning, giving them a 6–0 lead. Savannah Christian took a 7-run lead (8-1) in the second inning and then held off Oconee County to win 10-8. Going into the top of the seventh, SCPS led 10-4. Oconee scored four runs to make the score 10-8 as their rally fell short, and the Raiders moved on to the final four.
Five Raiders had multiple hits on offense: Ely Brown was 3-4, Josh Gates was 2-4 with a run batted in, Jayden White was 2-4 with a run batted in, Daegan Strickland was 2-4 with two runs batted in, and Blaine Burnsed was 3-4 with two runs batted in. Eli Brown would get the win by pitching five innings, giving up six hits, four runs, and six strikeouts. Trey Lanier came in as a substitute and got the save after two innings.
The Raiders (29-6) will play a doubleheader against Ringgold High School (31-7) on the road in Ringgold, Georgia, this Saturday at 2 p.m. The "IF" game will be Monday, May 15, 2023, and the first pitch will also be 2 p.m.
The winner moves to the GHSA Class 3A championship from May 16 to May 24. The site has yet to be determined, as stated on the GHSA.net website.
PHOTO CREDIT: Savannah Christian Athletic Department
