The Greer Warhawks allowed one hit by Fort Mill Post 43 Juniors to punch their ticket to the American Legion Juniors state tournament in Conway.
Greer beat Post 43 in game three of their best of three series 3-1 to as Fort Mill struggled at the plate getting just one hit in the decisive game.
Both teams started off strong on the mound and flew through the first three innings. Greer picked up a couple of hits off Post 43 starter Preston Schmitz and threatened in the second inning, before Schmitz was able to get out of the jam leaving two Warhawks on base.
Greer scored first in the fourth inning as Schmitz allowed a walk and then an error by Fort Mill put two runners on with one out. A single by the Warhawks plated the first run of the game for Greer as they took a 1-0 lead.
Fort Mill bounced back in the bottom of the fourth to tie the game. Kade Balsinger walked for Post 43 and then made it to third before eventually stealing home, as Fort Mill at that point still hadn’t got a hit in the game.
Greer then took the lead for good scoring two runs in the top of the fifth off three consecutive hits to go up 3-1. In the bottom of the fifth Fort Mill got their only hit as Justin Brink singled and Tyler Causey reached on a walk to give Post 43 their best chance in the game to score. Brink went 1-3 in the game for Post 43 to lead them at the plate.
Schmitz pitched six innings for Fort Mill and allowed three runs on six hits, while walking two and striking out seven. Zach Boutwell pitched the final inning for Post 43 in the top of the seventh and allowed just one hit while striking out one.
Post 43 got just one runner on in the final two innings as they ended their season at 12-5 overall.
Mac Banks: mac@fortmillprepsports.com, @fortprep
