ROCK HILL—The Easley Green Wave baseball team will face either Mauldin or Ridge View in an elimination game in District III of the Upstate High School Baseball Championships Monday night at McKissick Field of Alice Park.

The Green Wave came into the four-team bracket at the second seed, after placing second in Region 1-AAAA. Easley defeated Mauldin 10-2 at home Thursday, but had to travel to Rock Hill Saturday to face top-seed Northwestern. The Trojans defeated the Green Wave 5-2 in that game, securing a spot in the championship game. If Easley can win Monday night, the Green Wave will get another shot at Northwestern Wednesday, but Easley must top the Trojans twice to advance in the state tourney.

Easley led the game early with three hits and two walks in the first inning. Cliff Alexander drove in the Green Wave’s first run of the game on an infield hit, giving Easley an early 1-0 lead.

But the Green Wave gave up two runs in the bottom of the first inning to fall behind. Northwestern added a run in the second inning and two more in the third to build a 5-1 lead.

In the seventh inning, Joey Pankake hit a double, then was driven in by a hit by Alexander to pull Easley within three. But the Green Wave was unable to sustain the rally.

Pankake was three-for-three in the game with two doubles. Easley left 12 runners on base during the game.

Region 1-AAAA champions Wren won their first round game in District I defeated Dorman 5-2 in the first round of the playoffs, but lost to Blythewood 4-1 in the second round. Monday night the Hurricanes will host Gaffney in an elimination game.