Walton, Pope, Kell Baseball Start Tourney Play

A total of 15 teams from high schools in Cobb, Douglas and Paulding -- six of them ranked -- have qualified for the Georgia High School Association baseball tournament, which begins Friday on school sites throughout the state.

Three games in Class AAAAAA will be in Cobb, which boasts three teams in the Top 10.

Friday's action in all classifications features a doubleheader in a best two-of-three format; decisive games, if needed, will be played on Saturday.

Playing at home is No. 4 Walton (19-7), which is facing South Gwinnett. The Raiders' first game starts at 4 p.m. If a Saturday game is necessary, that game will start at 3 p.m. at Walton.

Pope, the Region 7 champions in Class AAAAA, will be home to Arabia Mountain. Friday's first game at Pope starts at 5 p.m. and a Saturday game would start at 1 p.m. Kell travels to North Atlanta.

One of the biggest surprises of the season is No. 1 McEachern, which plays host to Tift County in Class AAAAAA.

The Indians (22-4) have been thriving under first-year coach Dan Torrenti, a former McEachern player. No. 6 Marietta (19-7) is playing host to Camden County.

West Cobb's other high schools will be on the road as Harrison travels to Colquitt County and Hillgrove visits Lowndes. Douglas County is at Luella.

Paulding County is well-represented in the Class AAAAA tournament.

East Paulding, which is ranked No. 6, will be at home Friday against Flowery Branch. North Paulding is playing host to Loganville, Hiram is playing at Gainesville and South Paulding goes to Winder-Barrow.

In Class AAAA, Alexander is at Stephens County.

Chapel Hill, ranked 6th in Class AAA, is at home against Tattnall County.

In the Class A private school tournament, Aquinas will play at No. 3 Mt. Paran Christian.

Patch will have scores from these tournaments and more spring sports updates throughout the weekend.