A defensive battle between the Eastside Eagles and Fort Mill saw the Yellow Jackets open the playoffs with a loss.
Eastside edged Fort Mill 1-0 as the Jackets got just one hit in the game dropping them to 19-7 on the season.
Both teams made contact to start the game, but base runners were nearly nonexistent for both teams between the two teams.
In the second, Fort Mill did get a runner on with a walk to Michael Rogers, but he was caught stealing to end the inning.
Eastside put two on base in the top of the third with the first hit of the game and then a hit batter got on as well for the Eagles. However, Fort Mill starter Alex Carreiro worked out of the jam without allowing a run to score.
In the fourth inning, the Eagles got the leadoff runner on with a single, but he was picked off for the first out of the inning. A walk put another runner on for Eastside. However, Carreiro again was able to work out of the jam without allowing an Eagles run.
Fort Mill struggled to get a hit at the plate against the Eagles. Eastside were not much more effective as they got the occasional base runner through four innings. The Eagles threatened again in the fifth with a single and had a runner reach on an error. Carreiro again got out of the situation with a runner at second and third.
Eastside finally broke through with a leadoff walk in the sixth inning and then a single plated the only run of the game.
It looked as if the Jackets were going to get a break in the sixth inning. Brent Laughter walked and courtesy runner Jackson Bendis stole second, but again Fort Mill couldn’t come up with a hit as they left runners stranded to end the inning.
Carreiro was replayed in the seventh inning with Sullivan Townley. Carreiro went six innings allowing one run on five hits while walking three and striking out eight.
In the bottom of the seventh, Josh Patterson walked for the Jackets and Andrew Craddock hit an infield single for the first Fort Mill hit of the game to put runners on the corners. However, the next Jackets’ batter popped out to end the game.
Fort Mill will now play Easley at home on Monday, May 12.
May 10 Roundup
The Catawba Ridge baseball team beat Riverside 2-0 in their playoff opener to improve to 19-7-1 overall on the season. Bryce Meil threw a complete game two hitter walking one and striking out six in getting the win. Sam Schwamb went 2-3 with a home run and two RBI to lead at the plate for the Copperheads.
Catawba Ridge will play TL Hanna on Monday, May 12.
The Catawba Ridge boys’ soccer team beat Easley 2-1 in the second-round of the 5A playoffs and improve to 15-4 on the season.
The Nation Ford boys’ soccer team fell to Riverside 2-1 in the second-round match of the 5A playoffs. The loss ended the Nation Ford season as they finished at 17-6 overall.
Mac Banks: mac@fortmillprepsports.com, @fortprep
