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Rebels eliminate 'Cats, earn rematch against 'Doggs
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Christian Campbell (2) rushes to celebrate with Rebels teammates Jordan Rahn (1) and Ryan Harley after Harley laid down a perfect squeeze bunt to plate the winning run in Game 1 on Thursday. - photo by Mark Lastinger/staff

SPRINGFIELD -- The never-say-die Effingham County Rebels' quest for the Class AAAAAA baseball championship is very much alive.

The Rebels (28-5) swept the Valdosta Wildcats (23-10) 3-2 and 9-1 Thursday to qualify for the quarterfinal round next week at Winder-Barrow. The Bulldoggs defeated the Rebels 14-0 on March 2.. 

In Game 1 Thursday, Effingham County rallied from a 2-0 deficit. The clinching blow was a bases-loaded squeeze bunt by Ryan Harley that plated Holden Fields, who was pinch running for Chandler Hinely.

Hinely, Christian Campbell and Chase Howze also got aboard during the rally.

Late-inning heroics were unnecessary in Game 2 as the Rebels dominated throughout the contest. 

Effingham County got stellar pitching in both games. Ethan Johnson gave up only three hits while going the distance in Game 1 and Merritt Evans notched nine strikeouts while twirling six frames in the nightcap.

Campbell had three RBI in Game 2 and Dustin Johnson added a pair.

See the May 8 edition of the Effingham Herald for more details.