Gardendale exploded for 33 runs in a doubleheader, run-rule sweep of Minor in the first round of the AHSAA Class 6A baseball playoffs on Thursday.

The Rockets (22-8) downed the Tigers 14-0 and 19-0, each game shortened to 5 innings because of the 10-run mercy rule. Gardendale pounded 21 total hits in the two wins.

Gardendale pitcher Parker Robinson faced 16 batters in the first game, only one over the minimum after a third inning error gave Minor (5-20) its only base runner, breaking up a perfect game. Robinson struck out 6 in the win.

Auburn signee Caiden Combs led the Gardendale offense with 4 RBIs, all coming in the 11-run second inning as the Rockets sent 15 batters to the plate. Combs was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded and also stroked a 3-run triple later in the inning.

Lucas Ford had a pair of singles with 3 RBIs and scored twice while Cam Roberts added a triple and Adam Yazel doubled and had 3 RBIs. Cody Florence scored 3 runs.

Gardendale scored 8 first-inning runs in the second game, Jackson Firestone with a 2-run double in the inning and another run-scoring double and sacrifice fly for 4 RBIs.

Carter Jenkins had 5 RBIs, including a 2-run double, adding 2 run-scoring singles and finishing the day with 6 total RBIs.

Florence had a triple and RBI while Yazel and Carson Burdette each added a double.

Starter Austin Webb struck out 6 and allowed a walk in 3 innings. Combs allowed the only Minor hit in the series, a double by Elijah Fuller, in his inning on the mound and Braden Chapple struck out the side to end the game.

Gardendale plays the Muscle Shoals-Fort Payne winner in the next round.

In other AHSAA first-round playoff action on Thursday:

CLASS 4A

Trinity 14-6, Handley 3-2

The eighth-ranked Wildcats eliminated Handley on Thursday with the doubleheader sweep at home, winning Game 1 in 5 innings.

In the opener, the Wildcats (22-8) scored 9 runs in the bottom of the fourth to lead 14-1 before giving up a pair in the top of the fifth – and final – inning. Trinity pounded out 13 hits and took advantage of 3 Handley errors while committing 3 miscues. The Tigers (16-14) had 3 hits and scored on an error and a fielder’s choice in the top of the fifth.

Fleming Hall went 2-for-3 with a triple and a double for Trinity with 3 RBIs. Blake Moses was 3-for-3 with 4 RBIs and Patton Mitchell was 2-for-4 with a pair of doubles. Mason Hawkins had a double in 2 at-bats with an RBI in the win.

Mitchell picked up the win, allowing an unearned run on 2 hits with 4 strikeouts and 2 walks in 4 innings. PJ Shelton closed out the game, giving up 2 runs – 1 earned – on a hit with 3 strikeouts and 2 walks in an inning’s work.

Aden Anthony, Brody Estes and Kaleb Powell had singles for Handley and Zac Dunson had an RBI.

Alexander Busbin took the loss, allowing 11 runs – 7 earned – on 10 hits with 4 strikeouts and 4 walks in 3.2 innings.

In Game 2, Trinity broke on top with a run in the top of the second and 3 in the third. The Tigers answered with a run in the third before Trinity added single runs in the fifth and sixth. Handley closed out the scoring with 1 in the bottom of the sixth.

Hall hit a solo home run for the Wildcats and Xavier Boswell had a double. Mitchell went 2-for-3 and John Sharpless was 2-for-3 with 2 RBIs. Cooper Bernier also had an RBI.

Hall earned the win for Trinity, allowing 2 earned runs on 5 hits with 6 strikeouts and 3 walks over 6 innings.

Powell took the complete-game loss, allowing 6 runs – 3 earned – on 7 hits with 6 strikeouts and 3 walks.

Zae Dunson had a hit and drove in a run for Handley. Anthony, Busbin, Estes, Ben Pike and Luke Murr also had singles in the loss.

Trinity will meet the Geneva-Jackson winner in the second round.

The opening round of the AHSAA playoffs matches area runners-up against area winners. Here are Thursday’s state playoff results and schedule as reported by the AHSAA:

AHSAA BASEBALL PLAYOFFS

CLASS 1A

Millry (24-8) 13-18, Choctaw County (5-9) 3-0 (Millry wins series 2-0)

Autauga Academy 11-16, Maplesville (10-17) (Game 3, Friday 2 p.m.)

University Charter School (14-8) 5, Woodland (7-15) 1 (Game 2, 6 p.m.; Game 3, Friday, 10 a.m., if necessary)

Billingsley (18-7) 9, Verbena (10-12) 0 (Game 2, 7 p.m.; Game 3, Friday, 1 p.m., if necessary)

Hackleburg (24-5) 17-18, Shoals Christian (6-13) 1-1 (Hackleburg wins series 2-0)

Addison (23-8) 22-18, Skyline (7-9) 0-0 (Addison wins series 2-0)

Area 9 RU: Pickens Academy (12-12) at Area 12 W: Spring Garden (17-8), Friday, 4:30 and 7 p.m. (Game 3, Saturday, 11 a.m., if necessary)

CLASS 2A

Wednesday: Tuscaloosa Academy (13-17) 15-18, Loachapoka (8-5) 0-0 (Tuscaloosa Academy wins series 2-0)

CLASS 3A

Area 9 RU: Randolph County (6-16) at Area 12 W: Vinemont (22-7), Thursday, 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. (Game 3, Friday, 4:30 p.m., if necessary)

CLASS 4A

Trinity (22-8) 14-6, Handley (16-14) 3-2

Etowah (20-11) 8, Fayette County (15-14) 3 (Game 2, 7:30 p.m.; Game 3, Friday, noon, if necessary)

CLASS 6A

Gardendale (22-8) 14-19, Minor (5-20) 0-0

This post will be updated.