SWEET WATER — The Bulldogs (18-10) moved onto the second round of the playoffs Friday night with a sweep of Maplesville in the first round. Sweet Water won the first game 16-2 and the second 4-0.

Chris Landrum picked up the win, going all five innings and striking out three. The outing was reassuring to head coach Kevin Byrd, who has watched his junior starter struggle with control at times throughout the year.

“He threw the ball the best he has all year,” Byrd said. “He made them hit the ball.”

In the second game, Linc Luker anchored the effort from the mound. He tossed all seven innings and fanned four, never facing more than five batters in a frame.

“He had command of his pitches,” Byrd said. “He was hitting his spots.”

Michael Thompson went 3-for-6 on the night with a home run and four runs scored. Landrum was also 3-for-6 with a double, three RBIs and two runs scored.

The Bulldogs are hoping to get shortstop Ladarious Dumas back from injury before the second round. He is boasting a batting average over .400 on the year and has stolen more than 20 bases.

“We should be at full speed next week,” Byrd said. That second round match-up will be against Holy Spirit, a team Sweet Water knows very well after last season’s second round clash with the Titans.

“That will be an absolute battle,” Byrd said.

The teams will meet in a double-header Friday in Sweet Water. If needed, a third game will take place Saturday. Game times have yet to be announced.