NORTH AUGUSTA – An ugly second part of the game for Fort Mill Post 43 was enough to survive a late rally by North Augusta Post 71 for a 5-4 win at SRP Park.
Post 43 improved to 10-2 on the season with the win as they took a no-hitter into the sixth inning and still almost lost the game.
Fort Mill led 4-0 entering the sixth inning as pitcher Magdiel Cotto, once again was masterful on the mound going five innings without allowing a run or a hit, while walking two batters and striking out seven. This was the second consecutive start that Cotto didn’t allow a hit, coming off his combined no-hit performance against Chapin/Newberry.
“Tonight, showed why Mag (Cotto) will be pitching at the next level in the SEC,” said Post 43 head coach Tom Skula. “I don’t care what league across the country you play in. To be able to make two starts and throw 10 total no-hit innings with 18 strikeouts is astonishing. He is the true definition of the term “Ace.” Tonight, was really good for us as a team. Coach Romano harped on it after the game. These are the games we are going to be in most likely come playoff time. We really haven’t had too many games this year where the pressure has been on and our heart starts pumping. I was excited to see our guys respond after they tied the game up late and win the ballgame.”
In the sixth, North Augusta scored four runs on three hits as they got to reliever Trevor Krupke in the inning. Krupke would hold strong striking out two batters with the go-ahead run on third to get out of the jam with the game tied at 4-4.
Post 43 added a run in the top of the seventh inning as Brady Stone drove in Patrick Matthews, in what turned out to be the winning run as Matthews singled to start the inning off. Matthews led Fort Mill at the plate going 2-3 with three RBI. Stone went 2-4 with an RBI as well in the game.
“The biggest play of the game in my eyes was Gabe Simmons being able to scoop the short hop throw from Chase (Dougherty),” Skula said. “If that ball gets by him, we are driving back to Fort Mill with a loss. We have had only one other freshman player on the Legion team during my eight-year tenure, teammate Connor Rasmussen. There have been some growing pains here and there but Gabe has really been able to hold his own against guys 4 to 5-years older than he is.”
In the bottom of the seventh, Fort Mill was tested again as North Augusta got the first three batters on bases. Post 43 was able to get one out, before Dusty Sanderlin was called in to get the last two outs and the save. He would get a fly out to left and then a game ending strikeout to give Fort Mill the win. Krupke would get the win on the mound for Post 43.
“Tonight, was another unique experience being able to play at brand new SRP park,” Skula said. “I have to give Dusty Sanderlin a lot of credit. This kid must have ice water in his veins. The two times he has pitched this year have been in high stress situations and he has gotten the job done.”
Fort Mill would have two good innings offensively in the game. The first came in the second as Nic Curtis would drive in Stone and Matthews would get a sacrifice to put Post 43 up 2-0. Curtis was 1-2 in the game with an RBI. Then in the fourth inning, Matthews would collect two more RBIs as he would triple scoring Curtis, who walked, and Gabe Simmons, who singled earlier in the inning. Fort Mill had seven hits in the game.
Post 43 is scheduled to have another road game Thursday night at Riley Park in Sumter to finish off the regular season.
Mac Banks: mac@fortmillprepsports.com, @fortprep
