The Nation Ford Falcons baseball team picked up a much-needed win for their momentum with a 3-0 shutout of the Clover Blue Eagles Wednesday evening.
Starter Jacob Boyna and Justin Lehman combined on a three-hitter and was able to keep Clover at bay the entire game despite the Blue Eagles threatening on several occasions. Boyna went six innings in the win and allowed three hits while walking three and striking out six. Nation Ford is now 14-6 overall and 5-3 in Region 3-5A.
“This was a huge win for us,” said Nation Ford head coach Michael Lewis. “Jacob did a great job and we played solid defense. Kenan (Bowman) and Eric (Yelton) combining for four hits was huge.”
At the plate, Bowman and Yelton went 2-3 with each getting a double and an RBI. Aaron Pendergast also went 1-2 with an RBI in the win as well for the Falcons.
Nation Ford came out swinging in the first inning and scored two runs on two hits to take an early 2-0 lead. Clover threatened in the top of the first putting two men on and did the same thing in the fourth and sixth innings, but Boyna was able to work his way out of those jams on all three occasions.
In the third inning, Pendergast got his RBI driving in Gabe Simmons, who reached on an error to open the inning.
The 3-0 lead was all Nation Ford needed at that point as Boyna found a rhythm. Clover got a hit in the third, fourth and sixth inning, but again left baserunners stranded in each of those innings.
Lewis said he knows his team is anxious to look towards their series next week against Fort Mill, but said they have to concentrate on Clover again Friday night. Nation Ford will start a key series next week against Fort Mill with potential playoff implications for both teams on the line.
“We can’t look ahead,” he said. “We have to stay focused on the task at hand. It matters for momentum.”
Nation Ford travels back to Clover Friday for game three of the series, which is tied at 1-1 after the Falcons win Wednesday night.
Baseball
Fort Mill destroyed Gaffney 19-4 on the road as Connor Rasmussen led the Jackets going 4-4 with two home runs and eight RBI as the Jackets improved to 11-8 overall and 5-3 in Region 3-5A. The Jackets host Gaffney at home Friday.
Catawba Ridge beat Indian Land 9-5 as Trevor Testerman hit a grand slam for the Copperheads and finished the game with five RBI. Catawba Ridge is now 12-6-1 overall and 7-3 in Region 3-4A and will play Indian Land on the road Friday.
Lacrosse
Catawba Ridge boys’ lacrosse team fell to Oceanside Academy 19-4 in the first round of the 4A playoffs. The Copperheads finished the season at 4-11. The Copperhead girls’ lacrosse team lost to Lucy Beckham 20-4 in their opening round 4A playoff game and finish their season at 2-9.
Soccer
Fort Mill boys’ soccer beat Nation Ford 2-1 to improve to 4-2 in Region 3-5A and are now 6-6-2 overall. Nation Ford falls to 9-7 overall and 3-3 in the region with the loss.
Mac Banks: mac@fortmillprepsports.com, @fortprep
