Smoky Mountain Conference- Four SMC baseball teams earned the right to play in the first round of the NCHSAA 1A State Playoffs on Tuesday night, but only one survived.

Murphy fell 6-1 to Eastern Randolph, while Hayesville lost 3-1 to South Stanly. Swain County, however, bested a familiar foe in Hiwassee Dam by a score of 11-1 and will host South Stanly in round 2 of the playoffs on Thursday evening at 6:00pm.

The SMC Co-Champs didn’t leave any doubt in the opening round, sending the Eagles home early by way of the mercy rule in the fifth inning.

Ronnine Griggs and Gabe Lillard did an outstanding job on the mound for the Maroon Machine, combining to only allow 5 hits and 1 earned run over 5 innings of play. Carter Hayes and Will Jenkins both had great days at the plate, as Hayes was credited with 2 RBIs and a double while Jenkins also contributed 2 RBIs on 2 base knocks.

The Maroon Devils will now host South Stanly on Thursday as mentioned previously. The Running Red Bulls looked like a force on the diamond on Tuesday vs Hayesville, but it seems they may have burnt up their best-pitching arms in that matchup. I would think that Swain is favored by 2.5 runs heading into this one on Thursday.