The Fort Mill Post 43 seniors dropped their season opener against Winnsboro 10-9 after using five pitchers in the game as they struggled on the mound.
The game was a back-and-forth contest and while Post 43’s hitting kept them in the game, it was their pitching that didn’t get off to the best start on the season.
Post 43 pitchers struck out 11 batters, but also threw five wild pitches and walked seven batters. Only five of Winnsboro’s runs were earned.
Winnsboro went up 1-0 after the top of the first inning, but Fort Mill was leading 3-1 by the end of the first inning. The entire game was like that as Fort Mill would get a lead only to see Winnsboro rally.
Indian Land’s Miles Corcoran got the start and pitched well as he went three innings allowing three runs on two hits, while walking three and striking out six.
Winnsboro tied the game in the top of the third inning at 3-3 and then scored five runs on three hits in the fourth inning to get an 8-3 lead. Post 43 used two pitchers to get out of the fourth inning.
Fort Mill was able to rally in the bottom of the fourth scoring four runs with the help of a home run by Clover’s Nico Bartolotti.
Post 43 went ahead in the fifth inning as a Winnsboro error gave them the lead at 9-8. However, that lead was cut short in the sixth inning as Winnsboro scored two runs with the eventual game winning run scoring on a wild pitch.
Both teams had nine hits in the game and Post 43 was led by Zach Jennings, who went 2-5 with two RBIs and Eli Craddock, who went 2-4. Bartolotti went 1-4 with the two-run home run and Scott Young went 1-3 with two RBIs as well.
Post 43 opens the season 0-1 and will travel to Fairfield Central High School Tuesday, June 6 to try and even their record by playing Winnsboro again.
Junior Legion team earns win
Fort Mill Post 43 junior legion team beat the Kershaw Eagles 12-7 on Monday, June 5 at Andrew Jackson High School to open their season.
Kershaw made two errors in the first inning, which allowed Fort Mill to get on the board early going up 2-0 after one inning.
The Eagles rallied in the third inning scoring three runs on two hits to go up 3-2.
Fort Mill opened the game up in the fourth inning scoring six runs on four hits and three walks.
Post 43 walked to fill the bases to start the inning before Preston Schmitz singled to tie the game.
A sacrifice by Quinn Clouden put Fort Mill ahead before Alex Smith and Brayden Hampton had back-to-back hits in the inning. Gavin Oberg would drive in another run for Fort Mill to make it 8-3 giving Post 43 a comfortable lead.
Fort Mill extended their lead in the sixth inning scoring four more runs with the help of three hits – all singles to make it 12-3.
Kershaw didn’t go away quietly and put up a seventh inning rally to score four runs on three hits.
Post 43 was led by Smith who went 1-2 with an RBI and Hampton who went 2-4 with two RBIs. Braydon Plyler went 1-1 with two RBIs. Alex Downes got the win going four innings and allowing three runs on four hits, while walking two and striking out eight.
The two teams return to action June 6 at Catawba Ridge as the Post 43 juniors look to go 2-0 on the season.
Mac Banks: mac@fortmillprepsports.com, @fortprep
