Athens Bible came back strong from a Game One defeat to post two impressive victories over Cedar Bluff and advance to the second round of the Class 1A baseball playoffs.

The Trojans lost the first game 4-3 but recovered to win the second game 8-4 before taking the series with an 11-5 victory in Saturday’s game three.

A five-run fourth inning was the difference in the third game, as Athens Bible pulled away from what was a close 2-1 game at that point. ABS added four runs in the top of the seventh inning for some insurance, which came in handy when Cedar Bluff answered with four runs in the bottom of the inning.

However, it was too little, too late as Hayden Pierce closed out the game for the Trojans on the mound.

Kenneth Adams led the way for Athens Bible with three hits and an RBI, while Pierce had two hits and drove in two runs. Matthew Usery and Jared Simmons also had two hits for the Trojans.

Usery was the winning pitcher, allowing just two hits and one run with eight strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings pitched.

A third game was necessary after the two teams split Friday’s doubleheader. ABS looked as if it would take the first game of the series, as the Trojans took a 3-2 lead into the bottom of the seventh. However, Cedar Bluff scored twice in the final frame to take the victory. Adams had two hits and two RBIs to lead ABS in the first game.

Athens Bible came back strong in the second game, taking an early 2-0 lead with single runs in the second and third innings before putting the game on ice with consecutive three-run innings in the fourth and fifth.

Riley Nave relieved starting pitcher Clay Hodges in the sixth inning with ABS holding an 8-4 lead and pitched the final two innings, holding Cedar Bluff to just one hit while striking out four batters.

Pierce was the hitting star for ABS, with three hits and three RBIs. Usery had two hits and drove in two runs, while Clayton Hamm and Hodges also had two hits each. Simmons also had a hit and two RBIs.

Athens Bible (18-10) will host Shoals Christian (11-19) in the second round of the playoffs. The first two games will take place at 1 and 3:30 p.m. Friday with an if-necessary third game set for 11 a.m. Saturday.

Class 5A Playoffs

Ardmore 7-14, Arab 2-1

Ardmore had an easy time with Arab in the first round of the Class 5A playoffs, outscoring the Knights 21-3 in the two games.

The Tigers set the tone for the series early in the first game, scoring four runs in the first inning and two more in the second to take an early 6-0 lead. That was all the cushion Ardmore pitcher Jacob Reed would need. Reed worked the first 5 2/3 innings, allowing just three hits and no earned runs. Joe Neal Douthit worked the final 1 1/3 innings in relief, allowing three hits and one run.

Jason Hogan hit a two-run homer for Ardmore, while Taylor Calder had two hits, including a triple, and three RBIs. Blake Martin and Dylan Hall also had two hits each for Ardmore.

The second game of the series was even less taxing for Ardmore, as the Tigers scored four runs in the first and eight more in the second to put the game on ice early.

Hogan homered again in the game and finished with four hits and three RBIs. He was also the winning pitcher, tossing a complete game while allowing just three hits and no earned runs.

Calder had two hits and two RBIs for Ardmore, while Bryson Rolin had two hits and drove in a run. Dylan Hall had a hit and two RBIs, and Blake Wallace also had two runs batted in.

Ardmore (20-12) will travel to play Brooks (20-14) in the second round of the playoffs. The Friday doubleheader is scheduled for 1 and 3:30 p.m. and the if-necessary third game would take place at 1 p.m. Saturday.