LAKE WACCAMAW - Catcher Chad Malpass had three hits, including a pair of doubles, and drove in three runs Friday night as the East Columbus Gators opened play in the state 1A high-school baseball playoffs with a 6-4 victory over the Ayden-Grifton Chargers in Friday’s opening round of the state 1A high school baseball playoffs.

Caleb Andrews was the wining pitcher for East Columbus, which rebounded from an 3-0 first-inning deficit. C.J. Ganus came on in relief in the second inning to record the save. Andrews and Ganus combined to strike out 10 batters as they held Ayden-Grifton to two hits.

East Columbus, now carrying a 12-10 season record, will play host to Rosewood Tuesday night at 7 in the second round. Rosewood has a 17-5 record following its 10-4 opening round victory over Pamlico.

East Columbus managed to avenge a opening round loss to Ayden-Grifton a year ago. Ganus had a double for East Columbus while Alan Bracey and Alex Sasser each had a run-scoring singler for the Gators.

Ayden-Grifton scored its three first inning runs with the aid of three Gator field errors. East Columbus scored single runs in the first and second inning before gaining the lead with three runs the third inning.

A win Tuesday would put the Gators in a third-round home game against the winner of the Princeton vs. Wallace-Rose Hill game.

Eakes, Pait (5) and McArthur; Andrews, Canus (5) and Malpass.