The 2025 regular season comes to an on Friday, but not before a few finales to decide some playoff fates.
Of the 18 games on tap (including doubleheaders) only one will have sudden-death consequences while one doubleheader will decide a region title.
In Region 8-5A, Jackson County (14-12, 5-7 Region 8-5A) will travel to Apalachee (8-18, 5-7 Region 8-5A) in a winner-take-all shodown for the final playoff spot . The Panthers forced the deciding game by rallying for a win on Wednesday at home. The loser will have to wait until next year.
In Region 8-A Division 1, Banks County (22-6, 16-3 Region 8-A D1) will take on Providence Christian (22-5, 18-1 Region 8-A D1) for the region title. The Leopards dropped the opening game of the series on Tuesday and can claim the title with a sweep at home in Homer. One Storm win will give them the region championshihp.
And in Region 6-3A, Lumpkin County (17-12, 10-10 Region 6-3A) will entertain arch-rival Dawson County (15-14, 10-10 Region 6-3A) with the No. 4 seed and final automatic playoff berth on the line. The loser is expected to make the Class 3A playoffs based on the latest Postseason Rankings (PSR) poll by the GHSA.
Flowery Branch (14-10, 8-5 Region 8-4A) will play host to Walnut Grove (18-9, 8-5 Region 8-4A) in a doubleheader for the No. 2 spot and a home playoff series. However, the Falcons will have to sweep to grab the slot after dropping the opening game of the series on Tuesday. But they are 10-2 at home in 2025.
Also in Region 8-4A, East Forsyth (17-10, 7-6 Region 8-4A) travels to Madison County (5-23, 1-12 Region 8-4A) in a doubleheader. However, the Broncos can finish no higher than third in the final standings in the event of a three-way tie.
As for the rest, teams already have either qualified for the playoffs in their various regions or can improve their standing in the PSR poll in their respective classifications.
(See below for the full schedule of Friday's games.)
HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL SCHEDULE FOR FRIDAY, April 18
(First pitch at 5:55 unless otherwise noted)
Buford at Dacula*
Commerce at Elbert County (DH), 5 p.m.*
Dawson County at Lumpkin County*
East Forsyth at Madison County (DH), 5 p.m.*
Gainesville at Johns Creek*
Jackson County at Apalachee (1-game playoff)*
Johnson at White County*
North Hall at Chestatee*
Oglethorpe County at Rabun County (DH), 5 p.m.*
Providence Christian at Banks County (DH), 5 p.m.*
Union County at Rockmart (DH), 5 p.m.*
Walnut Grove at Flowery Branch (DH), 5 p.m.*
(* -- denotes region contest)
