LANCASTER – Fort Mill Post 43 lost its opening day game nearly two weeks after it started it against Rock Hill Post 34 in splitting a doubleheader against them.
Fort Mill lost 4-3 to Rock Hill in what was their opening day game originally starting June 30. Fast forward nearly two weeks later, the two teams picked the game back up tied at 3-3 in the top of the seventh with a runner on second for Post 43. Fort Mill wasn’t able to get Patrick Matthews home in the top of the seventh as he was left stranded on third.
In the bottom of the inning, Rock Hill scored the winning run with two outs after two Fort Mill errors put two runners on base. The loss for Fort Mill was their first of the season in league play.
“When you are in a tie game execution is key,” said Fort Mill head coach Tom Skula. “Unfortunately, we had a couple chances at the plate to score, but we couldn’t get that run home. It was the same story in the bottom half of the inning. We will remember this inning and us it as a teaching moment moving forward.”
Fort Mill did bounce back mightily winning game two of the twin bill 11-3. Post 43 is now 3-2 overall on the season and 3-1 in league play.
Magdiel Cotto got the win on the mound for Post 43 in game two going four innings allowing three hits and one run while walking one and striking out five batters.
“Game two was whole different story,” Skula said. “We came out with the right mindset and fought. We were zoned in and focused from the first pitch. Cotto set the tone again for us tonight. He was battling the humidity all night, but he was commanding all four of his pitches and able to keep the Rock Hill hitters off balance.”
Offensively, Fort Mill had just eight hits but capitalized with another two-home run game, their second straight. Kolby Crepeau led the way at the plate for Post 43 going 3-3 with a home run and six RBI. Xavier Cumbee also went 2-3 with a triple and three RBI.
Fort Mill opened game two with a three run first inning as Crepeau hit a three-run home run to get Post 43 on the board in the top of the first.
Post 43 added another run in the second inning with the help of an RBI walk to Crepeau, as Rock Hill’s pitching walked 10 Fort Mill batters in the game.
Rock Hill scored in the bottom of the third with the help of their first two hits of the game.
In the top of the fourth, Fort Mill got that run back as Matthews would hit a solo home run to right center to give Post 43 a 5-1 lead.
Post 43 would add two runs in the sixth on two hits and four runs in the seventh on three hits, including a bases clearing triple by Cumbee to give them a 11-1 lead. Rock Hill would stay in the fight scoring two runs in the bottom of the seventh off three hits.
Indian Land’s Kyle Raynor would pitch three innings of relief for Fort Mill allowing two runs on four hits while walking one and striking out three Rock Hill hitters.
“After a tough outing last week, I was very pleased to see Raynor bounce back,” Skula said. “Our lineup is starting to drive on all cylinders. Guys that were not seeing the baseball well at the beginning of the season are starting to barrel up some baseballs. I’m very excited to see what we can do the rest of the season at the plate. Crepeau had a huge night tonight for us. His swing looked really good.”
Fort Mill has two more games scheduled this week. The next one is against Lancaster at 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 15 and then at Thomas Sumter Academy against Danzell at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 16.
Mac Banks: mac@fortmillprepsports.com, @fortprep
