Andrews kept its postseason bats rolling Tuesday night, pounding out 13 hits in a 16-6 win over South Davidson to open the state playoffs and set up a highly anticipated second-round showdown with Smoky Mountain Conference rival Robbinsville on Friday.

The Wildcats wasted little time putting pressure on South Davidson, erupting for five runs in the bottom of the first inning to erase an early 3-0 deficit. Andrews answered immediately behind a relentless offensive attack that saw nearly every spot in the lineup contribute.

Aiden Garrett led the way with a huge night at the plate, going 3-for-3 with four runs scored and two RBIs. Brady McLelland delivered some of the biggest swings of the game, finishing with two hits and four RBIs.

Logan Hyde added two hits and scored three runs, while Dawson Stalcup collected two hits and an RBI. Kelby Waldroup drove in two runs and reached base four times, and Logan Shular crossed the plate three times as the Wildcats kept traffic on the bases all evening.

The Wildcats piled up extra-base hits throughout the game, with Garrett leading the charge while McLelland, Waldroup and Shular also found the gaps as Andrews kept pressure on South Davidson from start to finish.

After South Davidson pushed across three runs in the top of the first and three more in the third, Andrews never let the game tighten up. The Wildcats answered every punch, scoring in four different innings and pulling away with a four-run fourth and another four-run fifth to end it early.

On the mound, Ethan Sutton started for Andrews and struck out five over 2.1 innings. Brady Queen came on in relief and shut the door, tossing 2.2 hitless innings with five strikeouts to earn the win.

The Wildcats struck out 10 batters as a staff and allowed just one hit all game despite South Davidson drawing seven walks.

With the victory, Andrews advances to Friday’s second round where the Wildcats will meet Robbinsville in another chapter of SMC playoff battles.

The Wildcats swept the regular-season series against Robbinsville, winning 5-4 and 6-5 in a pair of tightly contested Smoky Mountain Conference battles earlier this spring. Friday’s playoff meeting now raises the stakes even higher with a trip to the third round on the line.