Head coach Kevin McCollum knew Forsyth Central’s playoff chances were slim.

To have any chance at a spot in the Class 5A postseason, the Bulldogs needed to be almost perfect down the stretch — and hope that one of the top four teams in the region slipped up.

Central did its part, but no one else was willing to cooperate.

The Bulldogs defeated Northview 12-0 on Wednesday in Johns Creek and finished the season on a six-game winning streak, but were eliminated from postseason contention when Riverwood crushed Cambridge 16-2.

Central (16-10, 12-8) can finish no higher than fifth place in Region 7-AAAAA.

"It’s certainly bittersweet," McCollum said.

"It was a good group [of players] and I’m very proud of the way they played towards the end to give themselves a chance."

Central entered the 2013 season with a lot of new faces on the roster after advancing to the Class 4A state quarterfinals with a senior laden-squad in 2012.

The Bulldogs played well at times this season but couldn’t overcome two separate stints in which they lost four out of five region games.

"I think we lost three-fourths of our pitching and most of our fielders [from the 2012 season]," McCollum said.

"Next year we’ve got a good bit of pitching coming back and half of the fielders in place. Hopefully we can start gelling a little earlier in the season and make a run back to the playoffs."