REMBERT – Fort Mill Post 43 rallied in the fourth inning to come from behind against a feisty Dalzell Post 175 team to win 6-5.
Post 43 entered the inning down 5-2 and with the help of two hits to go with three walks and hit batter, they were able to score four runs and regain the lead. Fort Mill is now 5-2 overall on the season.
“It was good to see our guys respond tonight,” said Post 43 head coach Tom Skula. “We haven’t been in a lot of close baseball games like this all year. To pull out a victory like this on the road will help us later this season and in the playoffs. As a coaching staff, we couldn’t be more proud of the way this team played this week.”
Fort Mill struggled on the mound early on as Evan VandenBosch got the start, but lasted just one and two third innings allowing two runs on four hits while walking two. Tyler Levy came in for an inning, but Post 175 got to him as well scoring three runs on three hits.
Post 43 finally found their arm in Dusty Sanderlin, who finished the game going four and a third innings allowing two hits, while walking one and striking out four in securing the win.
“On the mound, we struggled throwing strikes tonight,” Skula said. “I have to give our pitchers credit tonight though as they battled when things were not going their way.”
Fort Mill struck first offensively as they scored in the first inning to take a 1-0 lead after Xavier Cumbee doubled and then was driven in on a sacrifice fly from Kolby Crepeau. Cumbee again led at the plate for Post 43 going 3-4 with a double and two RBI. Crepeau went 2-4 with three RBI as well.
Post 43 went up 2-0 in the second on a solo home run by Brooks Rhinehart, but Dalzell started chipping away and scored a run in the bottom of the second. Post 175 would add three more runs in the bottom of the third to go up 5-2 with the help of three hits and two walks by Fort Mill pitching.
“We are continuing to have quality at bats up and down our lineup,” Skula said.
Once Sanderlin came into the game, he was able to cruise for three innings allowing just three baserunners. In the bottom of the seventh, with Fort Mill clinging to a one run lead, Sanderlin was able to pitch his way out of a one out jam after he gave up back-to-back singles to allow Dalzell to get runners in scoring position.
Fort Mill will now have a crucial game against Rock Hill Post 34 Monday at Lancaster’s Harvey Eggleton Field. They also play defending state champions Greer July 21 at Segra Park in Columbia and then host Lancaster at the end of the week as well.
Mac Banks: mac@fortmillprepsports.com, @fortprep
