Clinton and Laurens are both three victories into the baseball playoffs, but both are still playing familiar foes.

The Red Devils are 2-0 against the Union County Yellow Jackets, and the Raiders are 1-2 against the Greenwood Eagles. In 3A, Clinton (21-3) is playing at Union in game one of the Upstate bracket, and Greenwood is visiting Laurens (17-9-1) with the Raiders needing one win in a possible two tries to move into the 4A Upstate finals.

Clinton won Region 4-3A primarily as a result of 5-2 and 6-1 victories over Union (19-6) during the regular season. The game is to be played at Timken Sports Complex, beginning at 6 p.m. on Thursday.

The Eagles advanced to face Laurens by winning, 4-1, over North Augusta (13-10) in an elimination game on Wednesday night. Greenwood (23-5) swept Laurens, 5-1 and 15-5, in the regular season, but the Raiders turned the tables, 11-9, on May 3, in both teams’ second playoff game. The Friday first pitch is set for 6:30.

Matt Murray stopped North Augusta on four hits over 4-2/3 innings. He walked three and struck out four. Andrew Driver got a save with a spotless 1-2/3 frames of yeoman’s relief work. At the plate, Jayden Driver was 2-3 and T.J. Aiken homered.

A Laurens win eliminates Greenwood. If the Eagles win, they play the Raiders again on Saturday.

The Clinton-Union winner moves into the winner’s bracket, but neither is eliminated. Opposite them are Seneca  and Belton-Honea Path (17-10-1).

Clinton has won 13 consecutive games. Laurens has won three straight and 7-8.

Both games are to be broadcast locally, Clinton on WPCC (AM 1410, FM 96.5) and Laurens on WLBG (AM 860, FM 104.1).