GHSA Playoffs: Parkview Slugs Passed Lowndes
May 20, 2021
Lilburn, GA - The Lowndes Vikings made the trip north to take on one of the most dominant program’s in the state, the Parkview Panthers, in the GHSA 7A State Semifinals. But it would not be the Vikings’ day, as the Panther’s offense exploded for 24 runs and seven home runs in the two games. Parkview punched their third consecutive trip to the State Finals, aiming to make it three straight titles (2018, 2019).
Game 1
Game one started off as a pitcher’s duel with LHP Mason Brown (Parkview; Kennesaw State) and RHP William Joyner (Lowndes; Mercer) sending the opposing teams down in order in the first two frames.
While Brown cruised through the third inning, Joyner was met with a different story. C Bryson Stripling (Parkview; Morehead State) led the inning off with a single and then 2B Cayden Gaskin (Parkview, 2022) was hit by a pitch, turning the lineup over with men on first and second and no outs. SS Ryan Spikes (Parkview; Tennessee) capitalized on the situation and drove an RBI double into the gap to give the Panthers their first lead.
The hits kept coming. Jayden Talik (Parkview, 2022) delivered another double, this time scoring two runs. Power hitting 1B Cade Sadler (Parkview; Walters State) then elevated a ball deep into left field for a two run home run. And the Panther’s were not done there. OF Ali Banks (Parkview, 2023) capped the inning off with a solo home run of his own. When the third inning had concluded, Parkview had a commanding 6-0 lead.
As for Lowndes, the Viking offense could not solve the puzzle that was Mason Brown. Brown did not allow a baserunner until the fourth inning, via hit by pitch, and lost his no-hit bid in the sixth inning on a one out single.
Parkview added two insurance runs in the sixth inning thanks to a Gaskin sacrifice fly and a Spikes solo home run, making it 8-0.
The Panthers came ready to swing it this evening. ‘21 SS Ryan Spikes (@ViewBoysGA; #Vols) launches the 3rd HR of the game for Parkview (Cade Sadler & Ali Banks with the other 2).
— Phil Kerber (@PhilKerberPBR) May 17, 2021
Lowndes - 0
Parkview - 8
T7@PBRGeorgia #GHSAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/toN7gdiAQ0
Brown would go the distance for Parkivew, compiling a final line of: 7.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 HBP, 12 K.
#KennesawSt commit ‘21 LHP Mason Brown (@ViewBoysGA) goes the distance for the Panthers, lost no-hitter in T6. Final line: 7.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 HBP, 12 K
— Phil Kerber (@PhilKerberPBR) May 17, 2021
FB: 81-83, T85
CH: 73, sink
CB: 68-72, 1/7
Lowndes - 0
Parkview - 8
F@PBRGeorgia #GHSAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/O44h4OfzsP
Game 2
The Parkview offense picked up right where they left off in game one, and then some. Leading off the game, Spikes took the very first pitch of the game over the wall in right center for a solo home run.
What a way to start Game 2! #Vols commit ‘21 SS Ryan Spikes (@ViewBoysGA) takes the first pitch of the game over the wall in left center for a solo HR. His 2nd of the series.
— Phil Kerber (@PhilKerberPBR) May 17, 2021
Parkview - 1
Lowndes - 0
B1@PBRGeorgia @ShooterHunt #GHSAPlayoffs #PBRBombSquad pic.twitter.com/Fi4pG1srrK
The offensive onslaught continued into the second inning. The Panthers led the inning off with three consecutive singles. Gaskin brought one run in on a single, before up stepped Spikes, already with two home runs to his name in the series. Spikes promptly deposited the ball over the left field wall for a grand slam, giving Parkview a 6-0 lead after two innings.
Who else, but ‘21 SS Ryan Spikes (@ViewBoysGA; #Vols). Spikes sends one deep into left field for a grand slam. His 2nd HR of the game and 3rd HR of the series!
— Phil Kerber (@PhilKerberPBR) May 17, 2021
Parkview - 6
Lowndes - 0
B2@PBRGeorgia @ShooterHunt #GHSAPlayoffs #PBRBombSqyad pic.twitter.com/65MyU1RlNO
Lowndes would get two runs back in the bottom of the second. The first coming via an error and the second on a C Daniel Kerrigan Jr. (Lowndes, 2022) sacrifice fly.
However, the Panther offense was relentless. Parkview added one run in the fourth and then Gaskin added a bases clearing three run double to make it 10-2 after five. Sadler connected for his second home run of the series in the sixth inning, extending the lead to 11-2. Cade Brown (Parkview, 2024) capped things off with a grand slam in the seventh.
‘22 MIF Cayden Gaskin (@ViewBoysGA), facing a new reliever, drives one into the right center gap for a bases clearing 3 run 2B.
— Phil Kerber (@PhilKerberPBR) May 18, 2021
Parkview - 10
Lowndes - 2
B5@PBRGeorgia #GHSAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/hKC1sEb5e4
RHP Landon Stripling (Parkview, 2023) would pick up the win for Parkview going six strong innings. Stripling scattered five hits and two runs, while walking none and striking out six.
Parkview hammers 4 HRs in Game 2 to runaway with it 16-2 over Lowndes and punch their ticket to a 3rd consecutive State Finals.
— Phil Kerber (@PhilKerberPBR) May 18, 2021
‘23 OF/RHP Landon Stripling (@ViewBoysGA) picks up the W: 6.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 6 K
FB: 83-85, T86
SL: 73-75@PBRGeorgia #GHSAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/jtQzcHyFee
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