GREER – The Greer Warhawks evened the series with Fort Mill Post 43 Juniors winning game two 4-3 capitalizing on errors.
Much like game one, it was the home team that came out hot. Greer put two runs up in the first inning to go up early off Post 43 starter Ryan Stukitz. Greer scored those two runs on a couple of hits.
Then in the second inning, Post 115 added another run on a double.
Fort Mill was able to hit the ball early but struggled to plate any runners. Finally in the top of the fourth, Post 43 was able to breakthrough.
Gavin Oberg doubled and James Knoll singled to get things rolling for Fort Mill. Kade Balsinger singled knocking both Oberg and Knoll in to cut the lead to 3-2 for Greer.
Post 43 made a new game of it in the top of the fifth with a solo home run by Brayden Hampton to tie the game. Through the first four and half innings, Fort Mill outhit Greer 9-4.
Stukitz went four and two third innings allowing four runs on five hits, while striking out three. Zach Boutwell replaced Stukitz on the mound in the fifth inning for Post 43 with two outs. Boutwell was able to pitch Fort Mill out of a jam without too much damage. He finished the game going an inning and a third allowing just one hit.
One thing that Post 43 struggled with was errors making several in the game allowing Greer extra opportunities. An error in the fifth inning allowed Greer to regain the lead at 4-3. Fort Mill made four errors through the first five innings of the game.
Post 43 threatened in the sixth with two outs, but struggled again to push a run across leaving two runners stranded.
Greer needed three outs to force a game three, but Fort Mill got the first two batters on base and again threatened. Post 43 was again unable to get a run across as the Warhawks took game two.
Fort Mill was led by Hampton, who went 3-4 with an RBI. Balsinger went 1-3 with two RBIs and Preston Schmitz went 2-3 as well at the plate.
Game three in the series, which will decide who goes to the state tournament in Conway, is scheduled for a 7 p.m. first pitch at Catawba Ridge High School.
Mac Banks: mac@fortmillprepsports.com, @fortprep
