Maplesville won first place in its baseball area on a two-run double in the 10th inning on April 6 against Verbena.

Trent Smitherman’s hit with no outs and the bases loaded produced a 9-7 win and earned Maplesville (11-9) the right to host in the first round of the Class 1A state playoffs.

The two local sets of Red Devils had split their first two meetings of the season, 9-8 Verbena on April 3—despite Maplesville leading 8-6 going into the bottom of the seventh inning—and 10-0 Maplesville in the first game of a doubleheader on April 6.

In that game, Maplesville pitcher Colby Chambers allowed only one hit in six innings of work while striking out nine batters.

Zack Bush, Smitherman and Trevor Wallace all went 2-for-3 at the plate. Smitherman scored two runs and drove in two runs, while Bush and Wallace each recorded one run and one RBI.

In the nightcap, Aron Smitherman earned the win on the mound in relief of Jared White.

White struck out nine batters in seven innings pitched, while Aron Smitherman struck out nine of the 11 batters he faced in three innings, allowing only one hit.

Aron Smitherman also went 3-for-5 at the plate with a two-run double.

Smitherman, White and Fuquay Seales also each had 3-for-5 days. White had a double and scored two runs, and Seales scored one run and drove in two.

“For a region championship game, you couldn’t ask for a better atmosphere,” MHS coach Brandon Shanks said. “It was a good experience for our guys that I hope we can carry over into the playoffs.”