One second Valdosta High sat a single out from advancing to the quarterfinal round of the Class 6A playoffs.

The next, the Wildcats had to swallow the fact they’d need to rally again or return to Douglasville on Monday for the rubber match.

Alexander senior Jason Hinchman hit a go-ahead two-run home run with two outs in the top of the seventh inning to lift the Cougars to a 4-3 victory in Game 2 of the best-of-three second-round series.

Valdosta beat Alexander 6-2 in Game 1 of Saturday’s doubleheader, and the Wildcats opportunities to sweep the series in Game 2, but the Cougars survived to force a winner-takes-all contest Monday at 1 p.m.

Already with one victory under its belt, Valdosta took a lead in the fifth inning once starter Luke Ard escaped a bases-loaded jam in the top half of the frame.

With one out, Jude Ard doubled and Cory McCann looked to move him up with a sacrifice bunt. McCann laid down a bunt down the third base line, and Alexander’s third baseman aired the throw to first, allowing pinch runner Luke Doob to score.

Umpires ruled McCann out for an error running the bases, helping the Cougars escape the inning without any further damage.

Valdosta’s inability to add to its lead cost it late when Hinchman hammered the game-winning home run over the wall.

Now, the Wildcats will bus back to Valdosta before returning to Douglasville for the decisive Game 3 on Monday.

Derrick Davis is the sports editor at the Valdosta Daily Times.