NORTH AUGUSTA – For the third time in four seasons, Fort Mill Post 43 baseball team is headed to the state tournament.
Post 43 was able to do so sweeping North Augusta Post 71 2-0 in the best-of-three series in the second round of the playoffs by winning game two 9-3. This is the second straight year that Fort Mill will appear in the state tournament, finishing as runner-up last year. Fort Mill is 14-2 on the year and will be joined in the tournament by defending state champions Greer and Sumter. The winner between Florence and West Columbia will be the fourth team in the tournament. The tournament is double elimination.
“This really is a testament to where we have come as a program,” said Post 43 head coach Tom Skula. “There are a lot of great teams yearly across the state of South Carolina with really talented players on them. To again be one of the last four teams standing is an amazing feat. This independent league has mirrored American Legion Baseball and what we experienced last year during our run. I am so happy we were able to give our players the opportunity to compete this summer for a state championship. Our coaching staff has done a phenomenal job getting our team ready to play night in and night out all year.”
Fort Mill scattered 10 hits in the game, but again for the second consecutive game, it was their pitching that was more than enough to help Post 43 out. Kyle Raynor went six and a third innings on the mound allowing two hits and three runs in the game while walking two and striking out three. Raynor cruised until the seventh inning allowing just one hit through the first six frames, but started struggling in the seventh inning allowing a hit and two walks, all of which scored.
“Kyle threw a gem tonight for us on the mound,” Skula said. “Having to battle the high humidity and hostile environment at Riverview Park really showed the true competitor he is.”
Jacob Boyna, a late addition to the Post 43 roster for the playoffs, saw his first action on the season finishing out the game allowing one hit and a walk, while striking out two in two thirds of an inning.
Offensively, Fort Mill struck first as both Patrick Matthews and Xavier Cumbee each got two hits in the game. Post 43 scored in the top of the first inning and added two more runs in the third inning on two hits to take a comfortable 3-0 lead. In the third, Kolby Crepeau hit a two out double to get the offense started for Fort Mill. Chase Dougherty then singled in Crepeau as Post 43 seized the opportunity capitalizing on the first of three North Augusta errors.
Fort Mill added another run in the fourth on three hits as Cumbee got an RBI single driving in Gabe Simmons, who singled earlier in the inning. Post 43 really opened their offensive valve in the fifth inning scoring four runs on two hits, as North Augusta also walked three Fort Mill batters, hit one and threw multiple wild pitches in the inning.
Post 43 added a run in the top of the seventh inning with the help of a single from Aaron Pendergast.
Fort Mill heads back to the state tournament Friday and will play at either 3 or 7 p.m. at Segra Park in Columbia. Based on the brackets, they should play Sumter Post 15.
“I am really excited for our younger players to take in and experience the atmosphere of the state tournament,” Skula said. “Playing in this tourney will be an invaluable experience that will make them better ball players down the road. Segra Park did an amazing job hosting last year.”
Mac Banks: mac@fortmillprepsports.com, @fortprep
