Brookwood, ranked No. 1 in the nation by one publication, escaped with a split in its first-round series with Alpharetta, winning 6-4 in Game 2 of its Class AAAAA best-of-three baseball series.

In a five-run second, the Broncos (25-2) scored twice on an error before Jordan Erisman ripped a two-run double and Ross Heffley followed with an RBI double. Alex Beebe scattered six hits in six innings to pick up the win.

Alpharetta (18-10) pulled the shocker in the opener, getting an RBI single from Grant Newsome in the top of the ninth inning to win 4-3.

Zach Garrett, normally the Raiders' No. 2 starter, relieved starter Colin Snow (7 IP, 11 K) in the eighth and threw two hitless innings to pick up the win.

Garrett will start today's deciding game.

"The Snow kid threw a great ballgame," Brookwood coach Rick Howard said.

"Our kids came out pretty emotional," Alpharetta coach Chris McRaney said. "[Brookwood] was ranked No. 1 nationally, and I think that fired our kids up. We feel confident going in Game 3, and we'll see what happens."

—- Kurt Aschermann Jr.

More Class AAAAA

Walton 7-6, Parkview 0-5: Parkview closer Cliff Carter hit Ryan Mitzel with a pitch with the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh of the second game to bring home pinch runner Cory Reed with the winning run as Walton swept its first-round series.

Mark Pope, Walton's ace and a Georgia Tech commitment, mixed a high-80s fastball with a devastating slider and effective curveball, handcuffing the Panthers in a complete-game three-hitter.

—- Kurt Aschermann Jr.

Harrison 3-3, South Forsyth 2-4: Harrison got complete games from Kevin Bibler in the opener and Chris Rowley in the nightcap, but the series goes to a decisive Game 3 today at 1 p.m. at Harrison.

Norcross 17-2, Woodstock 7-1: Nathan Mitzel hit a pair of two-run triples in the first game, and Taylor Rakes struck out 12 in the second game to help the Blue Devils sweep.

—- Andrew Adler, For the Journal-Constitution

Class AAAA

Loganville 3-6, St. Pius 1-7: Adam Hall hit a game-tying solo home run in the seventh inning of the second game, and Mitch Carroll ripped a bases-loaded single in the bottom of the ninth to force a deciding Game 3. Drew Payne allowed three hits and one unearned run, striking out eight, in Loganville's opening win.

Class AAA

Gainesville 4, Westminster 1: Zach Bennett hit his 12th homer of the season, a two-run shot that sent the Red Elephants on their way to a Game 1 victory. Robby Hefflinger threw a complete game for the victory.

Class AA

Lovett 2-9, Fannin County 1-1: Campbell Wilson belted two home runs in the nightcap, and the Lions swept. Carr Churchill pitched a complete game with 12 strikeouts to seal the series. Clayton McKenney went the distance in the opener for the Lions.

Class A

Providence Christian 4-13, Monticello 2-1: The Stars got ace performances on the mound and scorching bats at the plate to sweep Monticello in the opening round of the Class A tournament. Jesse Meier struck out 11 to help win the opener.

—- Steve Shelnutt

Landmark Christian 13-13, Wilkinson County 3-0: Tanner Bryant hit two home runs in the first game and threw a shutout in the second game —- in which he also homered —- as the War Eagles swept with two mercy rule-shortened, five-inning victories.