See the first round matchups in the GHSA state baseball playoffs for Savannah area teams

Playing in the rugged Region 3-4A, Islands baseball coach Brandon Collins has said all season long that his Sharks squad just wanted to reach the playoffs — and then let the chips fall where they may.

The Sharks took two of three in their final regular season series with Burke County to secure the No. 4 seed out of the region and Islands (20-10) will be on the road to face West Laurens (18-9), the Region 2-4A champs on Thursday in a doubleheader in the first round of the playoffs.

The Sharks have five players who have signed to play college ball in Johnny Calloway (Army), Ben Fernandez (Miles College), Joey Cardillo (Milligan University), Braedin Swab (East Georgia) and Brennan Smith (Mary Baldwin University).

Wyatt Oliver and Calloway earned the pitching wins in the key victories over Burke County. Calloway, the team's ace lefty, is 5-3 with a 3.21 ERA. Junior catcher Dylan Gordon has been a breakout player for the Sharks this season and is hitting .361.

"The number one thing for us was just to get into the playoffs," said Collins, the former Calvary Day star in his sixth season leading the program. "We feel confident because we have eight or nine guys who can get the job done on the hill, and that gives us a good chance to win any series. We have a strong senior class of players, and we're going to count on their experience."

Here's a look at the matchups for teams from the Greater Savannah area in the first round of the playoffs.

Class 7A

Grayson (17-12) at Richmond Hill (16-11), Thursday, April 25 in doubleheader with first game at 4:30 p.m. If-necessary game set for Friday at 4:30 p.m.

The Wildcats finished second in the tough Region 1-7A to earn the right to host in the first round. Richmond Hill comes into the playoffs hot having won eight of their last 10 games. Grayson has won five of its last seven games.

The All-Region 1-7A team was released Monday and Richmond Hill was well represented with six players earning first-team honors. Pitchers Bryce Hendricks and Noah Stone made the squad, along with infielders Alex Harwood and Grant Wagner. Outfielder Lee Johnson was also a first-team pick along with catcher Gavin Martin.

Class 6A

South Effingham (19-11) at Woodward (21-9), Thursday, April 25 in doubleheader with first game at 4:30 p.m. If-necessary game set for Friday at 4:30 p.m.

The Mustangs enter the playoffs riding a six-game win streak and will be on the road to face a Woodward team that won the Region 3-6A championship with a 14-0 mark in region play.

Class 4A

Baldwin (12-11) at Benedictine (18-11), Thursday, April 25 in doubleheader with first game at 4:30 p.m. If-necessary game set for Friday at 4:30 p.m.

BC earned home field advantage in the first round of the state playoffs with a second place finish in Region 3-4A.

The Cadets are led by senior Parker McCoy, who has signed with North Carolina, and junior Landon Ludwig. McCoy is hitting .364 with three homers and 26 RBIs and is 4-0 on the mound with a 2.51 ERA.

Ludwig is 5-0 with a 1.16 ERA and is hitting .424 with six doubles, four triples, two homers and 21 RBIs.

Islands (20-10) at West Laurens (18-9) Thursday, April 25 in doubleheader with first game at 3 p.m. If-necessary game set for Friday at 5:30 p.m.

Class 3A

Jackson (8-18) at Calvary Day (18-5), Tuesday, April 23, in doubleheader at Grayson Stadium with first game at 4 p.m. If-necessary game set for Wednesday at 3 p.m.

Calvary Day won the Region 3-3A title and enters the playoffs ranked No. 3 among Class 3A teams in the state by Score Atlanta.

Calvary is led by Vanderbilt signee Will Hampton, who is hitting .437 with 19 RBIs with a 0.86 ERA in 16 innings pitched. Junior Ryan Wallace is 7-0 with a 1.72 ERA and is hitting .301 with 18 RBIs. Senior shortstop Caden Arnold is hitting at a .390 clip with 21 RBIs and his younger brother, Max Arnold, is hitting .403 with 19 RBIs.

Peach County (18-11) at Savannah Country Day (12-14), Tuesday, April 23, in doubleheader with first game at 5 p.m. If-necessary game set for Wednesday at 4 p.m.

Tyler Scott and Dalton Brown combined to beat Savannah Christian 2-1 on Friday, and the Hornets got the No. 2 seed out of Region 3-3A on a tiebreaker.

Gabe McKinney is hitting .312 with 20 RBIs for the Hornets. Tyler Scott is 5-4 with a 2.35 ERA and is hitting .320 with 16 RBIs. Garrett Lorfano is batting .305 with five homers and 16 RBIs for the Hornets.

Savannah Christian (11-13) at Pike County (11-16), Tuesday, April 23, in doubleheader with first game at 4:30 p.m. If-necessary game set for Wednesday at 4:30 p.m.

Savannah Christian is on the road as the No. 3 seed out of Region 3-3A. Blaine Burnsed is 3-4 with a 1.34 ERA and Jayden White is 2-2 with a 3.46 ERA, while hitting .282 with 20 RBIs for the Raiders. Harding Dennis leads the squad with 27 RBIs and is hitting .300.

Class A Division I

Swainsboro (15-10) at Bryan County (18-11) Tuesday, April 23, in doubleheader with first game at 4:30 p.m.

Bryan County tied with Metter for the Region 3A Division I title, but became the No. 2 seed on a tiebreaker. BC has won four of its last five games.

Dennis Knight covers sports for the Savannah Morning News. Contact him at Dknight@savannahnow.com. Twitter: @DennisKnightSMN

This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: See the first round matchups in the GHSA state baseball playoffs for Savannah area teams