VALDOSTA — Lowndes’ Vikings are ready to go the distance in the Class AAAAAA baseball playoffs as they prepare to host Mill Creek’s Hawks for the second round.

Lowndes (22-11), the Region 1- 6A champion, enters the matchup riding high after taking their series over Cherokee in the opening round. The Vikings, ranked No. 27 statewide, boast a 13-2 region record and have leaned on a strong pitching staff and reliable at-bats from veteran players to carry them through a competitive schedule.

Meanwhile, Mill Creek (19-11) advanced with a first-round sweep over Westlake. The Hawks, the Region 8- 6A runner-up, posted a 15-3 record in a tough region, headlined by powerhouse Buford. With similar strengths to the Vikings, Mill Creek will aim to upset Lowndes on the road.

The Vikings will look to capitalize on home-field advantage and their athlete on the bump to make it to round three. Brinson Rountree, Drew Inman, and the rest of the pitching staff have excelled at limiting earned runs and keeping games tightly contested. The Hawks favor a high-pressure approach at the plate, making the Vikings’ ability to control the tempo from the mound crucial to their success.

First pitch of the doubleheader is set for 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 28. A third game, if necessary, will be played on Wednesday. The winner of this series will move on to the quarterfinals to face the winner of the Brookwood vs. Grayson series.