Both the Fort Mill Post 43 junior and senior teams got come from behind wins Tuesday evening to keep momentum on their side in the second round of the American Legion playoffs.
The Post 43 Juniors beat Inman Post 45 2-1 in game two of their series to tie it at 1-1 on the back of a commanding pitching performance from Killion Bennett. The Post 43 Seniors won on the road 8-7 in game one of their series against Lexington Post 7.
Fort Mill and Inman had to finish game one of their series before starting game two. Post 43 trailed in game one 5-2 when it started and rallied some, but failed to take the lead finishing the last inning and a half in 23 minutes falling 5-4. The game had been delayed from Monday night in Inman because of rain.
In game two, Alex Smith had a key double in the fifth inning that gave Post 43 both of their runs as they would rally from being down 1-0. In the bottom of the fifth, Bennett would lead off with a walk and was pinch ran for by Braydon Plyler. Justin Brink would then double pushing Plyler to third and Smith would get the game winning hit to put Fort Mill up 2-1. Brink and Smith would each go 1-2 in the game.
On the mound, Bennett led Post 43 throwing a complete game while allowing four hits and striking out five and walking one. Much like the first game, the second game was delayed by rain, this time it was only about 40 minutes in the fourth inning.
“What a pitching performance,” said Post 43 Juniors head coach Michael Lewis. “He did a good job hitting his spots. Alex came up with the biggest hit of the year for us.”
Bennett allowed just one hit and one run after the rain delay, which was scored on an infield sacrifice.
Fort Mill will now head back down to Inman for game three Wednesday with the winner advancing to the state tournament starting Saturday in Greenwood.
Seniors win in extra innings
Cooper Wilson came up big for Post 43 in the top of the eighth inning hitting a solo home run which proved to be the game winner as they beat Lexington to open their second round series.
Wilson went 1-4 with the home run and Eli Craddock went 1-2 with two RBI to lead Post 43 at the plate. Tyler Levy also went 2-4 with an RBI.
Fort Mill used four pitchers in the game and rallied from being down 6-2 about midway through the game to score four runs in the top of the sixth inning. Seth Hanson got the win going an inning and a third and striking out two. Post 43 did struggle some with control walking 12 Lexington batters.
Game two is Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Catawba Ridge High School.
Mac Banks: mac@fortmillprepsports.com, @fortprep
