MARIETTA -- Pope High School scored in six of its nine innings and defeated Effingham County 17-2 and 15-1 to sweep the best-of-three, second-round series in the Class AAAAAA state baseball championships.
Both games were stopped because of the mercy rule. The first game went four innings and the second game five innings.
Tyler Wells and Hunter Hales had runs batted in for the Rebels in the first game and J.D. Coleman had the lone RBI in the nightcap.
ECHS' season ended with a 16-18 record.