GREENWOOD – Despite an opening day loss, the Fort Mill Post 43 Juniors bounced back Sunday with a 11-5 win over Mid-Carolina to eliminate them from the 2022 American Legion Juniors State Tournament.
Post 43 struggled to start giving up four runs in the bottom of the first inning, but was able to bounce back and put up eight runs in the fifth inning to rally and take a strong commanding lead after that.
Fort Mill had seven hits in the game and were led by both Reid Kazmierczak and Aiden Cattarin, who went 2-4. Both scored twice and Kazmierczak drove in a run as well.
Mid-Carolina got to Fort Mill early scoring those four runs in the first inning, but Post 43 came back and started chipping away in the top of the second inning. Alex Smith and Jackson Childs both walked and Kazmierczak would drive in Childs after an error led to Smith scoring.
Both teams put a run on the board in the third inning as Cattarin would score on a wild pitch after reaching base with a walk.
The fifth inning rolled around and Post 43 took advantage by scoring those eight runs on four hits and four walks from Mid-Carolina. Kazmierczak started the inning off with a single and Mitchell Ladamus would reach on a walk before Bradyn Deaton would collect an RBI single and Cattarin would single. Killion Bennett would drive in a run to as both Smith and Justin Bink would get RBIs to give Post 43 the lead. Ladamus would also get an RBI in the inning as another Mid-Carolina walked allowed Fort Mill to extend their scoring.
On the mound for Post 43, Carter Cox would pick up the win going four innings. After a rough start, he would correct his course allowing five runs on five hits, while striking out two and walking five. Preston Schmitz would pitch the final three innings and be nearly flawless as he struck out three and surrendered just two hits.
“Carter didn’t pitch bad,” said Fort Mill Post 43 Juniors head coach Michael Lewis. “He did a good job. Preston did a good job. We have got to give our pitchers more run support early. We are going to need guys ready to go.”
Post 43, which is now 13-6 overall on the season, will now play in another elimination game at 1 p.m. Monday against South Florence.
Mac Banks: mac@fortmillprepsports.com, @fortprep
