Fort Mill Post 43 scored three runs in the bottom of the eighth to rally for a win over Rock Hill Post 34.
Post 43 scored three runs in the eighth inning to win 9-8 and improve to 3-0 on the season.
Fort Mill scored the three runs on two singles, including the game winner off the bat of Steven Coppola, who drove in Jackson Carroll, who reached on a fielder’s choice earlier in the inning.
Rock Hill got one on in the top of the first inning, who was later picked off, as Post 43 starter Matthew Scott cruised through the first inning.
Fort Mill was unable to get a base runner in the bottom of the inning. Post 43 got in the board in the second inning. Jackson Carroll reached in a passed third strike and then scored eventually on a wild pitch.
In the top of the third, Rock Hill got the run back off a walk and a couple of hits. Post 34 picked up a second run before the third out of the inning.
In the bottom half of the inning, Fort Mill got a bases loaded walk to Carroll to score a run and then a catcher’s interference scored another run for Post 43. A walk to Coppola scored another run for Fort Mill to make it 4-2 before a pitching change by Rock Hill.
In the bottom of the fourth inning, consecutive Post 34 errors scored a run for Fort Mill.
In the top of the fifth, Reid Wackler came into the game pitch for Fort Mill. He relieved Scott who went four innings and allowed two runs on four hits, while walking four and striking out three. Rock Hill picked up one run in the inning to pull within two.
The bottom of the inning Scott doubled for Post 43 and then scored on a passed ball later in the inning.
A double and three consecutive walks scored a run for Rock Hill with no outs in the sixth. Post 34 pulled within one, but Fort Mill got out of the inning with a double play.
Post 43 started the bottom of the inning off with back-to-back walks to get two runners on base early. They would also load the bases later in the inning but was unable to score an insurance run.
James Gandolfi came in to pitch the seventh inning for Fort Mill. Rock Hill was able to tie the game at six off two hits. Post 43 threatened in the bottom half of the inning, but couldn’t score a run.
Rock Hill took an 8-6 lead in the eighth inning off three hits.
Gandolfi got the win going two innings and allowing three runs on five hits, while striking out two. Fort Mill got just four hits in the game as Coppola led going 1-3 with two RBI.
June 8 Roundup
The Fort Mill Post 43 Seniors lost 2-1 in their season opener to the two-time defending state champion Camden Post 17. Fort Mill got just two hits, both from Alex Blanchette. Carter Powell got the loss despite a one hitter for Post 43.
Mac Banks: mac@fortmillprepsports.com, @fortprep
