American Legion baseball: Rock Hill Post 34 in title chase. They’re not the only ones
The second round best-of-three series in the 2022 American Legion baseball playoffs are complete, and a pair of area teams are headed for the state tournament.
Here’s what you need to know.
Rock Hill Post 34 seniors are state-bound
In the senior division Rock Hill Post 34 was the only area team to advance, while Lancaster Post 31 and Fort Mill Post 43 were eliminated in second round play.
Rock Hill knocked off Anderson in two games to make their way to the championship round. The two wins upped their impressive record to 20-3 on the year.
Rock Hill won the opening game 14-3 and wrapped up the series with a 7-6 come-from-behind win in the second contest.
In the first game this past Monday night Rock Hill exploded for seven runs in the first inning on their way to the one-sided win. Landon Sexton pitched a complete game and earned the victory.
In game two this past Tuesday night Rock Hill trailed 6-4 after six innings, but they rallied for three runs in the top of the seventh to take the win. Michael Gibson drove in the run that knotted the score, and Ethan Wilson followed moments later by driving in the winning run.
Cayden Powell, who was the fourth Post 34 pitcher of the night, picked up the win.
“We just never quit playing and believing in ourselves,” said Rock Hill coach Jeremy McCoy. “The way we came back and won that game should give us a lot of confidence going forward.”
McCoy is excited about his team’s chances in their first appearance in the state tournament since 2017. They finished as the state runner-up that year, losing to Florence in the title game.
“This team has worked hard all year,” he added, “They are absolutely looking forward to playing in the next round.”
McCoy talked about the key for success in the state tournament.
“We have to adapt to whatever situation we are in,” he said. “Pitching and defense will win championships.”
Rock Hill will host Greenwood in the opening game of the state tournament on Monday night at 7 p.m. at Rock Hill High School. A win would give them an excellent chance of hosting the next game on Tuesday night.
“That is what we are hoping for,” added McCoy. “Home field advantage in those first two games would be huge for us.”
Other senior Legion updates: Fort Mill lost its second round series to Lexington two games to one, winning Game One (8-2) but losing Game 2 (17-8) and Game 3 (5-2). The York County team finished the season 8-11 overall. Lancaster lost two straight to Greenwood and finished the season 11-11.
Fort Mill juniors move on to state tournament
In the junior division Fort Mill earned a series win and moved to the state championship tournament, while Buford lost its series two games to one.
Buford won the opening game in its series against Greer by a score of 4-3 on Monday. After Tuesday’s rain out, Greer rebounded and tied the series with a 10-3 win In the second game. Greer’s 7-2 victory in the third game sent them to the state tournament. Buford completed its season with an overall mark of 12-8.
Fort Mill dropped its opening game against Inman 5-2 this past Monday, but rebounded for a 2-1 victory in game two on Tuesday night.
Alex Smith provided the key hit in the win. He delivered a two-run double in the fifth to erase a 1-0 deficit and propel Fort Mill to the win. Killion Bennett pitched a complete game and earned the win. He scattered four hits, struck out five and walked only one.
The third game saw Fort Mill turn in a solid effort and earn a 4-1 win. They jumped to a quick lead with three runs in the first inning. Braydon Deaton and Smith led the offense, while Zach Boutwell earned the victory with a complete game performance.
“This team is different from last year, but they have the same mentality,” said Fort Mill head coach Mike Lewis. “The returning players from last year have provided leadership, and we came together very quickly.”
Fort Mill opened play in the state tournament in Greenwood this past Saturday with a 7-2 loss to Greer.
Fort Mill led 2-1 early, but Greer rallied for three runs in the fifth to take a 4-2 lead. They tacked on three more runs down the stretch to secure the victory.
The loss dropped Fort Mill to 12-6 overall on the year and put them in the loser’s bracket, still with a chance to make a postseason run.
“We are not undefeated and ranked number one like we were a year ago,” he added. “We have had some adversity this season, and we have battled through it and bounced back. It has made us stronger. This team does not quit.”