The rematch between Houston County and Newnan didn’t quite deliver the same ending as last year’s championship series—and that’s exactly how Houston County wanted it.
Houston County took control of the best-of-three matchup early and never let go, sweeping Newnan in two games to punch their ticket to the Elite Eight.
Game one set the tone as a tightly contested pitcher’s duel. Houston County broke through first in the bottom of the third when Peyton Nauss scored on a passed ball to give the Bears a 1-0 lead. Later in the inning, Raymond Byrd added an RBI single—then moved into scoring position on an error—to extend the lead to 2-0.
Newnan responded in the fourth with a sacrifice fly to cut the deficit to 2-1, and the tension built as both teams struggled to generate offense. In the sixth inning, Ismael Reyes delivered a clutch moment for the Cougars, blasting a solo home run to tie the game at 2-2.
But Houston County had the final say. In the bottom of the seventh, freshman Kaiden Harvey stepped up with two outs and delivered the game-winning RBI double, bringing home Damian Blasingame for a dramatic 3-2 walk-off victory.
Tyson Ganas was dominant on the mound for the Bears, throwing a complete game with 116 pitches. He struck out eight, walked just one, and allowed only two runs in a gritty performance.
With a 1-0 series lead, Houston County carried its momentum into game two—and this time, there was no suspense.
The Bears jumped out quickly, scoring two runs in the first inning. Although Newnan answered with a run of their own in the bottom half, it would be their only highlight of the game. Houston County’s offense exploded from there, scoring in every inning: three in the second, two in the third, one in the fourth, and three more in the fifth.
The result was an 11-1 run-rule victory in five innings, sealing the series sweep.
Houston County improves to 26-7 on the season and advances to the Elite Eight, where they will travel to College Park to take on Woodward Academy. Meanwhile, Newnan—last year’s state champion—finishes its season at 22-11, its title defense coming to an end. Noah Odom and Tyson Ganas led the Bears in rbis with three a piece followed by Isaiah Galason with two. Newnan who came in averaging only 0.4 errors a game combined for six in the doubleheader.
This time around, the rematch belonged entirely to the Bears.
