LANCASTER – Fort Mill Post 43 finished off league play Tuesday by beating Lancaster Post 31 10-3.
Post 43 finished league play with a 7-1 record and improved to 9-2 overall with the win.
“I am so glad the rain was able to stay away tonight,” said Post 43 head coach Tom Skula. “I have never been involved in a season where we have postponed this many games. Just trying to find non-conference games this season has been very difficult due to the rainouts throughout the entire state. We really looked terrible at all facets to start the ballgame tonight. I’m not sure if it was the 4-5-day layoff from last week or we just didn’t have the intensity we needed to start the game.”
Fort Mill was led on the mound by Kyle Raynor, who struggled in the first inning, but settled down to go four innings allowing six hits, while striking out five and walking just one
Lancaster scored two runs in the top of the first inning to take a 2-0 lead. Post 43 added three runs in the bottom of the second to take the lead, where they wouldn’t relinquish it. Fort Mill scored the runs on two hits as Aaron Pendergast drove in a run with an RBI single and Xavier Cumbee would drive in a run on a bases loaded walk to put Post 43 back ahead.
“After the first inning, I think we woke up and our mentality changed,” Skula said. “Kyle was able to settle down, throw strikes, and locate his off-speed pitches. For the most part we started to see pitches better and have quality at bats.”
Fort Mill added a run in the third as Scott Young would double scoring Pendergast, who reached on an error earlier in the inning. Post 43 was led at the plate by Young, who went 2-3 and had the only multi-hit game for Fort Mill.
Post 43 only managed seven hits in the game, but was aided by three Lancaster errors and six Post 31 walks. Fort Mill would add two more runs in the fourth inning as Young would drive two runs in during the game, as would Pendergast who went 1-4 as well.
Fort Mill really blew the game open in the fifth inning adding four runs on three hits, including a two-run home run by Magdiel Cotto. Earlier in the inning both Patrick Matthews and Cumbee each would score on the same passed ball by Lancaster’s catcher.
Greyson Wild would throw two innings of relief allowing just two hits, while striking out four and walking one. Tyler Levy finished the game off for Post 43 pitching the seventh inning as Lancaster would score a run in the top of the inning on a hit and two walks by Levy.
“I really have been amazed and astonished with how our players have really seized their opportunities when given the chance,” Skula said. “No matter who we plug in, guys have succeeded and given us a chance to win, when given an opportunity to play. That really has been a unique trait for this team.
We have two non-conference games this week against some quality opponents that I believe will really test us and help us get ready for the playoffs.”
Fort Mill will now travel to SRP Park, home of the Augusta GreenJackets, to play North Augusta Wednesday in a non-league game. They are scheduled to finish the regular season Thursday against Sumter at Riley Park.
Mac Banks: mac@fortmillprepsports.com, @fortprep
