Sweet Water self-destructed Friday in a 9-2 loss to Maplesville in the opening round of the AHSAA Class 1A playoffs in the first game of a best-of-three series. Sweet Water won the second game, 7-3, to force a decisive Game 3 at 3 p.m. Saturday.

In Game 1, Maplesville jumped to a 2-0 lead after a half inning of play as Blake Crumpton and James Madsen crossed the plate. The Red Devils never trailed in the game.

The Red Devils upped the margin to 4-0 in the top of the second, getting to Bulldog starter Linc Luker on runs by Aaron Smitherman and Tyler Crumpton.

Sweet Water responded with a single run in the bottom of the second as Henry Smith came in to score to cut the deficit to 4-1.

Jacob Little and Bobby Smith tallied for Maplesville in the top up the third as the Red Devils built a 6-1 lead.

Maplesville put the game on ice in the top of the fourth, chasing Linc Luker. Tyler Henslee came on in relief to put out the fire, but not before Tyler Crumpton, Blake Crumpton and Mack scored for a 9-1 lead.

In the bottom of the fourth inning, Smith reached on a two-out infield single, which would have loaded the bases, but A Bulldog runner was trapped off third base for the final out of the inning and stop a potential rally.

In the bottom of the seventh inning, Smith was safe on a throwing error, followed by a walk and another throwing error, allowing Smith to score, but another Bulldog runner was thrown out at the plate, ending another Bulldog charge. Antonio Landrum grounded out tos short and Chris Landrum popped out to the pitcher to end the game.

Maplesville banged out 13 base hits, committed two errors and stranded six base runners.

Sweet Water collected six hits, committed three errors and left 10 men on base.

Tyler Crumpton picked up the win for Maplesville, while Linc Luker took the loss. Brand Cade pitched one inning in relief for Sweet Water, allowing no runs.