Liberty County improved its postseason chances, defeating Hephzibah 6-5 Friday.
The Panthers trailed 5-2 in the fifth inning, but rallied with four runs in the fifth inning.
Senior Erik Mattingly, who went 3-for-4, started the inning off with a hit and later knocked in the go-ahead run.
Senior Robert Walsh tied the game with a sacrifice fly.
“It was a team effort,” LCHS coach Steve Cotrell said. “We put the ball in play and did what we needed to do.”
Aaron Hoffer pitched the fifth and sixth innings, earning the win. His brother Skyler Hoffer closed the game in the seventh for the save.
Justin Eaton started the game, going four innings.
Liberty County is 4-4 in Region 3-AAA south and is tied with Burke County for third place in the sub-region. However, Burke County has the tie-breaker because they defeated Liberty County twice.
The Panthers play Benedictine (3-5 sub-region) Saturday. If Liberty County wins, then Benedictine is eliminated from the postseason.
Burke County plays at Richmond Hill Saturday.
Hephzibah (1-7 sub-region) is eliminated from postseason play.