WINGATE, N.C. – A four-run rally by Fort Mill Post 43 Seniors gave them a win over Union County Post 535 at Wingate University.
Post 43 scored four runs on three hits in the top of the seventh to take a 10-8 win. The wind put Fort Mill at 6-4 on the season.
Fort Mill got a walk to Jack Shelnutt in the top of the first inning, but that was the only base runner they could get in the inning. Union County put two of the first three hitters on base to start the bottom half of the inning. However, Post 43 starter Caden Stevens was able to work out of the game without allowing a run.
Brayden Grogan led the top of the second off with a single, followed by a double from Matthew Scott. Daniel McCloskey doubled scoring both Grogan and Scott to put Fort Mill ahead 2-0 early. TJ McCluney doubled in courtesy runner Zach Young extending the Post 43 lead.
Two singles and a walk loaded the bases for Post 535 with no outs in the bottom of the second. Fort Mill got a double play which was key to help get them out of the inning despite giving up a run.
Post 43 went in order in the third inning. In the bottom half, Emerson Rhodes took the mound for Fort Mill replacing Stevens, who went two innings allowing one run on one hit, while walking two and striking out one. Union County loaded the bases with no outs in the inning again with two singles and a walk. A sacrifice fly gave Post 535 another run and then a Post 43 error tied the game between the two teams.
For the second straight inning, Fort Mill was unable to score. Then in the bottom of the fourth, Union County led the inning off with a solo home run to left field to give them the lead. Rhodes would then be replaced by Zach McMahon. The line on Rhodes was three runs on three hits in one inning of work.
After the pitching change, Union County added to their lead scoring three more runs on four hits to go up 7-3.
Fort Mill’s Jackson Bendis singled to start their half is the fifth inning. McCluney walked and Cooper Armstrong loaded the bases on a bunt single with no outs leading to a pitching change for Post 535. James Knoll grounded into a fielder’s choice to score a run. A second fielder’s choice by Ethan Solnick led to a second Post 43 run in the inning as they closed the Union County lead to two runs.
In the sixth inning, Scott singled and scored to put Fort Mill within one before the four-run rally.
Young pitched the fifth and sixth innings to get the win for Post 43. He allowed two hits, without giving up a run and struck out two. Scott pitched the seventh inning and allowed one run on one hit.
Armstrong, Grogan and Scott each had two hits for Fort Mill. Grogan and McCloskey each had two RBI.
Post 43 has a three-game series next week against Rock Hill Post 34.
Mac Banks: mac@fortmillprepsports.com, @fortprep
