Adrian Guadarama scored two first-half goals, and the North Hall Trojans fought off a second half charge by host Columbus to win 4-2 and advance to the second round of the Class AAA state playoffs.

The third-seeded Trojans (11-6) play the winner of Southeast Whitfield-North Atlanta on May 4.
Zach Tibbs also scored in the first half for North Hall. After Columbus scored two unanswered goals to bring the score to 3-2, Dillon Martin’s goal with 15 minutes remaining sealed a Trojans victory.

Trojans keeper Jordan Schmidt had 14 saves. North Hall outshot Columbus 12-8.

Baseball
GAINESVILLE 18, CHESTATEE 3 (THREE INNINGS): The Red Elephants (22-4, 20-4 Region 8-AAA) earned a No. 2 seed in the state playoffs with their win, emerging from a three-way tie with White County and North Hall in the final standings. They’ll host Troup in a three-game series that begins next Friday.

Hunter Anglin (7-0) got the win, pitching two innings and striking out two.

Skyler Weber was 2-for-3 with a home run, four RBIs and three runs scored. Will Maddox was 2-for-4 with three RBIs and two runs, and Stephen Mason was 1-for-1 with three runs and two RBIs.

NORTH HALL 15, JOHNSON 0 (THREE INNINGS): The Trojans (21-5, 20-4 Region 8-AAA) emerged from a three-way tie in the final region standings as a No. 3 seed in the state playoffs. They’ll travel to LaGrange for a three-game series beginning next Friday.

Jared Oliver picked up the win for North Hall, allowing two hits while walking none and striking out five in a complete-game effort.

Griffin Olson was 1-for-3 with three RBIs and a triple. Andrew Smith was 2-for-3 with an RBI, and Jesse Strickland was 2-for-2 with three RBIs for North Hall.

BUFORD 5, BLESSED TRINITY 3: The Wolves (21-3, 15-1 Region 6-AA) clinched the region championship and a top seed in the state playoffs with a win Friday. They’ll host an opponent to be determined in a best of three series, with the first two games beginning next Friday. If necessary, Game 3 will be played Saturday.

Josh Heddinger pitched seven innings, allowing three runs on six hits and two walks while striking out 10 for the win. He was 2-for-4 with two doubles and an RBI. Tyler White was 3-for-4 with an RBI for the Wolves.