By Bart Moss / For the FCT

The Phil Campbell Bobcats dominated the Red Bay Tigers at the plate in the decisive game of the three-game series on Saturday. The Bobcats’ ace-in-the-hole was Peyton Thomas. Thomas, who had been sidelined from the mound due to an injury, pitched six scoreless innings to help the Bobcats advance to the second round of the 2A baseball playoffs. Phil Campbell will face Mars Hill at their campus in Florence Friday.

Thomas allowed only seven hits and gave up no walks in the game, improving the Bobcats’ record to 21-17 on the season. Thomas also got the job done at the plate in the first inning, giving Phil Campbell a 1-0 lead with a solo home run over the left field fence.

The Bobcats got two other runs in the second inning. Joe Hardy and Mike Wrona reached on back-to-back walks. Jacob Anthony bunted the runners over, and Nick Taylor hit a shot up the middle to score the runners.  The Bobcats got their remaining run in the second on two Red Bay fielding errors.

Phil Campbell was able to hang on despite leaving 12 runners on base.

In game two, Phil Campbell scored two runs in the seventh inning to force the deciding game. Nick Taylor led the Bobcats with two hits, and Hardy scored two runs for the Bobcats. Phil Campbell got RBIs from Colby Baker, Hayden Copeland and Nathan Owens. Copeland pitched six innings, striking out six. Thomas closed out the game for the Bobcats.

Red Bay won game one of the series. Troy Borden got the win on the mound for the Tigers, striking out six batters in four innings. Borden also had two hits and three RBIs. Josh Wilson had two hits and two RBIs for the Tigers as well. Kolby Bragwell had four hits and three RBIs. Landen Burgett had two hits and two RBIs, including a home run.