Brookwood knocks Deerfield-Windsor out of GIAA playoffs
Deerfield-Windsor’s baseball season came to a heart-wrenching end late Saturday night, as the Knights fell just short of a dramatic comeback in the decisive game three of their playoff series against Brookwood. After clawing back from a seven-run deficit, the Knights saw their rally end with the tying run at the plate, sealing a 10-8 loss and marking the final high school baseball game of the season in Albany.
It was a marathon day of baseball at Addison Field, packed with weather delays, back-and-forth battles, and late-night drama. The teams first resumed Friday’s game one, which had been halted by rain, with Deerfield-Windsor finishing off a dominant 10-0 win. Brookwood responded in game two, taking a 9-6 victory to force the deciding game three after another lengthy rain delay.
Game One: Knights Start Strong
Deerfield-Windsor set the tone early in the series opener. David Hutchins took control on the mound, pitching a complete-game, four-hit shutout to secure a 10-0 win. The Knights’ bats were just as sharp, led by Gabe Daniel, who collected three hits and scored three runs.
After the game resumed Saturday afternoon, Daniel wasted no time, doubling to left in the bottom of the sixth. He later scored when Collins Clark’s grounder was mishandled by Brookwood. Hutchins added insurance with a two-out RBI single to right, driving in Lane Sceals and ending the game via the mercy rule.
After the game resumed Saturday afternoon, Daniel wasted no time, doubling to left in the bottom of the sixth. He later scored when Collins Clark’s grounder was mishandled by Brookwood. Hutchins added insurance with a two-out RBI single to right, driving in Lane Sceals and ending the game via the mercy rule.
Game Two: Warriors Fight Back
Brookwood regrouped in game two, jumping on Knights starter Collins Clark for three runs in the first inning. Deerfield-Windsor quickly responded in the second, as Grier Morey knocked in one with a single, and Drake Wiggins followed with a double to the left field fence to tie the game at three.
The Knights took their first lead in the third inning when Quinton Peterson singled to left, bringing in two runs to make it 5-4. However, Peterson was thrown out trying to stretch it to second. Brookwood tied the game again, but the Knights briefly went back on top in the fifth when Sceals hit a sacrifice fly to score Gage Tomlinson.
That lead didn’t last long. Brookwood erupted for four runs in the bottom of the fifth to take control, and J. Tuten took over on the mound, allowing just two hits over the final three innings to lock down the 9-6 win and force a winner-take-all game three.
Game Three: A Gritty Comeback Falls Short
After hours of rain delay, Deerfield-Windsor jumped out to an early lead when Tomlinson doubled to center in the first inning. But Brookwood responded in a big way, combining five singles and four walks in the third inning to put up an eight-spot and seize an 8-1 lead.
The Knights didn’t fold. Hutchins and Sceals came in as relief pitchers, limiting Brookwood to just two more runs while Deerfield-Windsor fought to climb back into the game. The Knights plated a run in the fourth and added three more in the fifth, cutting the deficit to 10-5.
With the season on the line in the bottom of the seventh, Quinton Peterson drew a leadoff walk, and Daniel Hoerner came in to pinch run. After two quick outs, Boyd Pollock was hit by a pitch, setting the stage for Daniel’s clutch two-run triple to the right field fence. Daniel then scored when Grier Morey’s hard grounder to third was mishandled, pulling the Knights within two at 10-8.
But the rally stopped there. With the tying run at the plate, Tuten ended Deerfield-Windsor’s comeback hopes with a game-ending strikeout. As Brookwood celebrated their series win, the Knights were left reflecting on a gritty performance that just wasn’t quite enough.
Season Comes to an End
Brookwood moves on to the next round of the GIAA playoffs, while Deerfield-Windsor finishes the season with a record of 16-10-1. Despite the heartbreak of the final game, the Knights displayed resilience and fight, battling through delays and deficits to give themselves a chance in the final inning. Though the season ended sooner than they hoped, the Knights left it all on the field in their final outing.
Brookwood School
Located in Thomasville, GA, Brookwood School is a private school for grades JK-12. Students benefit from a challenging academic program, fine and performing arts, competitive athletics, and a wide selection of extracurricular activities.