The Andalusia Bulldogs battle back to split with Sipsey Valley on Friday night in Buhl in the second round of the Class 4A state playoffs.

GAME ONE

SIPSEY VALLEY 2,

ANDALUSIA 1

In the first game of the day, Sipsey Valley picked up a late run to knock off Andalusia 2-1.

Gill Morgan started off the top of the first inning with a hard-hit ball back to the pitcher for the first out of the game.

Jacoby Cravey followed with a single to right field for the first hit of the game.

The next two batters flied out and popped out to end the top of the first inning.

In the bottom of the first inning, Cravey got the first batter to ground out to Ayden Amis at second base.

Cravey struck out the next batter and then a fly out ended the inning.

In the top of the second inning, Brennan Strong walked to start the inning.

However, the Bulldogs were unable to move him any further.

Cravey stayed sharp on the mound as he retired Sipsey Valley in order in the bottom of the second inning.

After two quick outs started the top of the third, Cravey singled to keep the frame alive.

The Bulldogs were unable to move him beyond first.

Cravey got the first batter of the bottom of the third inning to ground out to G. Morgan at shortstop.

After giving up a one-out single, Cravey retired the next two batters to keep the game scoreless after three innings of play.

In the bottom of the fourth inning, Strong reached off of a one-out error to start things off for the Bulldogs.

The Bulldogs then grabbed the lead when Caleb Blackston ripped a single to center that scored Strong.

Sispey Valley wasn’t going to stay scoreless much longer as they started the bottom of the fourth inning with a single and then a double.

After Cravey collected a strikeout for the first out, Sipsey Valley used another single to tie the game.

Sipsey Valley then took the lead when they dropped down a sacrifice bunt to go up 2-1.

Cravey then got the next batter to ground out to Chip Morgan at third for the final out of the inning.

Amis drew a walk to start the top of the fifth inning, but was thrown out a second on a bunt right back to the pitcher.

G. Morgan was then picked off at first for the second out.

Cravey drew a two-out walk, but was then thrown out trying to steal second.

Both teams continued to battle, but Sipsey Valley was able to hold on for a 2-1 victory.

GAME TWO

ANDALUSIA 2,

SIPSEY VALLEY 1

The Bulldogs kept their season alive and forced a game three rubber match after knocking off Sipsey Valley 2-1 on game two.

Strong got the start on the mound in game two and got the first batter to pop out to Cravey at first base.

Sipsey Valley then got a single and walk to get things going with one out.

The next batter grounded into a double play to C. Morgan to end the frame.

In the bottom of the first inning, G. Morgan made solid contact, but was thrown out to start the bottom of the first inning.

Cravey followed with a single to center field to get things going for the Bulldogs.

Hogan Nichols then drew a walk.

C. Morgan followed by grounding into a double play to end the inning.

In the top of the second inning, Strong retired the side in order.

Strong then singled to start off the bottom of the second inning.

The Bulldogs tried for a sacrifice bunt, but Sispey Valley was able to throw out the lead runner.

Andalusia then went on top when Amis laced a double to center field that scored Brandon Langley.

Strong got a ground out to start the top of the third inning and then Sispey Valley got a double.

Strong walked the next batter before a single allowed Sipsey Valley to tie the game.

After giving up the tying run, Strong struck out the next batter to end the inning.

In the bottom of the third inning, Cravey nearly knocked the cover off of the ball, but it went straight to the Sipsey Valley right fielder for the first out of the inning.

The Sipsey Valley pitcher got the next batter to ground out and then a strikeout ended the inning.

Strong opened up the top of the fourth inning with a big strikeout.

A ground out was the second out, and then Strong struck out the third batter for a 1-2-3 inning.

The game stayed tied after four innings of play when the Bulldogs went down in order in the bottom half of the inning.

Strong continued his solid night on the hill as the retired Sipsey Valley in order in the top of the fifth inning.

Garrett Davis singled to start the bottom of the fifth and then walk to Amis looked like the Bulldogs might be in business.

However, Sipsey Valley worked out of the jam as the game remained tied after five innings.

Strong worked around a single and a walk to keep the game tied in the top of the sixth inning.

Strong was hit by a pitch with one out in the bottom of the sixth inning.

Langley came into run for Strong and moved to second on bunt from Blackston.

Langley then came around to score off of an error to pick up the winning run.

Andalusia and Sipsey Valley will play game three today at 1 p.m.