The American Legion Post 77 baseball team ended the regular season putting up big offensive numbers, and continued that trend in its first state playoff game Friday, but didn’t need it.
Casey Shubert shut out Leesburg 11-0 in the second round of the state playoffs, advancing to today’s game against Dawsonville at 10 a.m. in Alpharetta.
The former George Walton Academy standout, Shubert allowed just two hits by Leesburg, striking out 10 batters.
"When he’s on he’s on," Post 77 coach Demarco Hamm said.
Shubert had a dominant curve ball, which kept batters off balance from his 81-83 mph fastball and got good support from his defense when the ball did find its way in play.
"He feeds off that curveball when it’s sharp and falls off the table," Hamm said. "Then he sneaks the fastball by you."
While Shubert was keeping Leesburg off the scoreboard, Rockdale had little trouble finding its way in.
Once again, Rockdale was led by Cole Murphy, who entered the post season after hitting almost .500 in the second half of the regular season. Murphy, along with Cameron Ragsdale, went 3 for 5 and drove in two runs.
. Murphy, Eric Alderman and Hunter Ballard had a triple each for Rockdale.
Rockdale won four straight heading into the playoffs, using its experience to turn it on at the right time. Six Post 77 players return from the 2012 state championship team, including Murphy.
"He’s back and he knows what it takes," Hamm said. "He’s been so hot lately."
Rockdale received a bye through the first round of the state tournament held Thursday.
If Post 77 comes away victorious against Dawsonville, which it has already defeated 9-0 and 27-10 in the regular season, Rockdale will play the winner of Douglasville and Alpharetta in the semifinals of the double-elimination tournament.