The Fort Mill Post 43 Juniors knocked off number one seed Socastee Post 178 in the opening around the American Legion junior state tournament.
The eighth seeded Fort Mill beat Socastee 8-6 with the help of a four run fourth inning in the double elimination tournament.
Coming into the game, Socastee had only given up nine runs all season and came into the game at 17-1 on the season. The game started about 97 minutes late after two separate lightning delays. Because they were the higher seed, Socastee was the home team.
Fort Mill jumped out early in the first inning scoring two runs on a hit as starting pitcher Matthew Scott singled in Michael Caropreso, who walked to start the game.
Socastee rallied in the bottom of the second to go up 3-2 off three singles.
Post 43 tied the game up in the bottom of the inning. Caropreso walked and scored after a bases loaded walk to Scott. Cooper Diehl would also single in the inning.
Socastee really moved the needle in the third inning and went up big. Four singles and an error allowed them to score three runs and take a 6-3 advantage.
Fort Mill didn’t roll over as they scored four runs on two hits and an error. Cole MacIntyre and James Carlin started the inning off with a walk. Eli Cheske singled to load the bases before a fielder’s choice scored a run. A two out double by Cooper Diehl cleared the bases and put a Post 43 up 7-6.
Both teams threatened in the fifth inning, but weren’t able to score.
Fort Mill added a run in the top of the sixth inning as Caropreso scored on a wild pitch. Caropreso and Eli Wilson singled earlier in the inning.
MacIntyre replaced Scott on the mound in the bottom of the sixth inning. Scott went five innings allowing six runs on 11 hits, while walking three and striking out four.
Socastee loaded the bases in the sixth inning but Fort Mill was able to get out of it.
Fort Mill threatened to add more runs to their score by getting the bases loaded in the top of the seventh, but couldn’t get a run across.
Like Fort Mill, Socastee threatened in the bottom half of the inning, but Post 43 was able to keep them from scoring to win the game.
Leading Post 43 at the plate was Diehl, who went 2-4 with three RBIs. Scott went 1-3 with two RBIs.
Fort Mill will now play Lexington Post 7 on Sunday, July 20 at 7 p.m.
Other scores from day one included Lexington beating Camden 7-1 in game one. North Augusta edged Blythewood 3-2 in game two, while Richland upset Florence 5-3 in extra innings in game three.
Mac Banks: mac@fortmillprepsports.com, @fortprep
