LANCASTER – The Post 43 seniors finished the regular season with a comeback win over Lancaster Post 31 to finish second in League IV.
Fort Mill beat Lancaster 4-2 and was down to their last out in the top of the seventh before a single by Zach Jennings tied the game at 2-2. Post 43 would score two in the top of the eighth and hold Lancaster in the bottom half of the inning to get the win.
Post 43’s River Joye pitched a complete game allowing two runs on four hits, while walking just one and striking out 10 to power Fort Mill on the mound.
The game was scoreless through the first four innings until Post 43 got on the board in the top of the fifth as Jennings singled to right field to score Nico Bartolotti who doubled earlier in the inning to get on. Jennings went 2-4 with two RBIs in the game.
Lancaster rallied in the bottom of the sixth to take a lead 2-1 with the help of a single from Brody Sanders scoring Landon Peavy and a sacrifice fly from Braden Small to score Carter Cox.
Post 31 almost had the game won getting two outs early in the seventh despite Drew Gaff singling to start the inning off. That would eventually lead to pinch runner Drew Brink scoring to tie the game as he ran for Gaff.
In the top of the eighth, Post 43 got two hits to score two runs. Sam Czyz singled after a walk was issued to Jonathan Barschow. Hunter Busque then singled to knock in both runners and put Fort Mill back on top. Czyz went 2-3 and Busque went 1-3 with two RBIs as well for Fort Mill.
Post 43 finishes the regular season at 10-6 overall and 7-5 in league play. Rock Hill Post 34 wrapped up the league title by beating Winnsboro 12-2 also on Wednesday evening. Winnsboro will finish third in the league with Lancaster finishing fourth.
Post 43 will open the playoffs next Monday, July 10 at home against an opponent to be determined. The playoffs will consist of a double elimination pool play with the winner of the pool advancing to the state tournament the week after.
Mac Banks: mac@fortmillprepsports.com, @fortprep
