Rock Hill junior legion team opens state tournament Saturday

Considering the distractions and obstacles that litter the summer baseball season, the 21-1 record accrued by Rock Hill Post 34’s junior legion Navy squad is impressive.

The team, consisting solely of Rock Hill High players and coached by Rock Hill High coach Dell Corley, begins the state tournament Saturday in Inman, after knocking out Williamston and Seneca in the first two rounds.

“I don’t care what level of baseball you are. 21-1? That’s a pretty good season,” said assistant coach Mike Partlow, speaking for Corley who was hosting family from out-of-town.

Rock Hill opens the state tourney with Johnsonville; the winner of that game meets the winner of Marlboro-Inman at 7:30 p.m., on Sunday. The loser faces the loser of Marlboro-Inman in an elimination game at 1 p.m., also Sunday.

Marlboro was given the tournament’s top seed from the Lower State. Despite its gaudy record, Rock Hill was given the No. 2 seed from the Upper State, with Greenwood taking the top seed by virtue of the least runs allowed in the playoffs. Corley’s team hasn’t lost in over a month, though.

That streak will be put to the test beginning at Chapman High School in Inman. Conner Edkins and Grant Willson will start the first two games of the tournament on the mound for Rock Hill. Pitching - the team has nine or 10 capable arms ready to go - and defense are the strengths that the team has ridden to this point. Rock Hill has allowed just eight runs total in four playoff games.

They can swing the bats, though. Brandon Banks leads the team with a home run and 18 RBI, while Edkins, Willson, Evan Bess and Daniel Oates are all regular starters hitting over .400.

“We’re not scoring a lot of runs, but we’re not giving up a lot either,” said Partlow.

Perhaps the most important characteristic of the team is its cohesion. The team carries 18 players on the roster, which helped Corley cope with vacations, employment and other forced absences. Fresh off the high school season, the players knew exactly what to expect from Corley, and vice versa. The chemistry has been strong and a vital seed for the team’s success.

“It’s a huge advantage,” said Partlow. “You don’t have to implement bunt coverages, or first-to-third situations. You just pick up right where your season left off.”

This story was originally published July 17, 2015 at 7:17 PM with the headline "Rock Hill junior legion team opens state tournament Saturday."