Athens looked to be in good shape after winning the first game of its three-game Class 6A playoff series against Pell City, but the Golden Eagles’ bats went silent in games two and three, which led to a premature end to their season.

Athens took the first game 5-2 before falling 2-0 in the second game Friday night. The two teams came back for a third game Saturday afternoon, which Pell City won 10-2.

Athens pitcher and Alabama signee Jacob McNairy went the distance in the first game, as Athens overcame a 2-1 deficit to post the victory. McNairy allowed six hits and just one earned run while striking out five batters.

The game was tied 2-2 in the bottom of the fifth, but Kade McHalffey hit an RBI double to give Athens the lead. The Golden Eagles added two more runs in the sixth, and McNairy closed the game with a strikeout in the seventh.

McNairy also had two hits and an RBI, while Major Reeves also had two hits. Grayson Wales had a double for Athens as well.

Athens was held to just four hits in the second game, and good pitching performances from Jack Garvin and Slaton Black were wasted in the 2-0 loss. Pell City scored one run in the third and another in the fourth, which is all starting pitcher Drew Wilson would need as he shut down the Golden Eagles.

Reeves had two hits, while Bryson Kirk and Ethan Tease had the only other hits for Athens.

Pell City put Saturday’s game away early by scoring eight runs in the second inning and had a 10-0 lead after three innings before cruising to the victory.

The Panthers had 13 hits in the game and also took advantage of five Athens errors.

Reeves hit a double for Athens, while Devin Todd and Tyde Robinson had RBIs.

Athens finished its season with a 24-11 record.

Class 3A Playoffs

Plainview 9-9, Clements 3-8

Clements fought back hard in an elimination game against Plainview but fell one run short in a 9-8 loss in the second game of a Class 3A playoff doubleheader Friday night. The Colts lost the first game 9-3.

Clements found itself down 9-2 entering the bottom of the seventh inning in the second game but made Plainview sweat it out by scoring six runs in the frame.

Dorian McCullough hit an RBI single in the inning. The other runs scored through walks or hit batsmen with the bases loaded, and the final run of the inning scored on a wild pitch. Plainview made a pitching change, and relief pitcher Jordan Wooten got the final out of the game on a strikeout.

Lucas Bailey had a double and three RBIs for Clements, while McCullough and Jacob Guimarin each had a hit and an RBI.

In the first game, Plainview took advantage of seven Clements errors to take the victory. Plainview led just 3-2 before scoring six runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to take control of the game.

Seth Harbin had two hits to lead Clements, while Ryland Kirk had a hit and two RBIs. Cole Wales also had a double for the Colts, who finished the season with a 14-10 record.