The Rock Hill Post 34 Senior team scored four unanswered runs in the top of the seventh inning to defeat Fort Mill Post 43.
The 8-6 loss to Rock Hill on Thursday, June 26 dropped Post 43 to 5-5 overall and 4-3 in League IV. Fort Mill used three pitchers in the top of the seventh inning as Rock Hill rallied from down 5-4 to go up 8-5.
Fort Mill started well scoring a run in the bottom of the second inning. Both Michael Rogers and Brayden Hampton walked to start that half of the inning. Andrew Craddock then knocked in Rogers on a sacrifice fly to put Post 43 up 1-0.
Rock Hill hit back in the top of the fourth to tie the game at one and added three more runs in the fifth to go up 4-1.
The bottom of the fifth was productive for Post 43 as they clawed their way back into the game. Craddock reached on an error and Cole Gutmann singled for Fort Mill. James Knoll reached on an error by Rock Hill allowing both Craddock and Gutmann to score.
Post 43 took a 5-4 lead in the bottom of the sixth. With one out, Craddock, Gutmann, and Knoll walked to load the bases. TJ McCluney hit a two-run single to score both Craddock and Gutmann and give Fort Mill a 5-4 lead.
The lead would be short lived as Rock Hill scored all four of their runs in the seventh inning before Post 43 could get an out. Rock Hill scored the runs on four hits and two walks.
Fort Mill added a run in the bottom of the seventh, but couldn’t keep the rally going. Hampton walked in the inning and Craddock drove in courtesy runner Justin Brink, running for Hampton. Gutmann would single as well and put two runners on base with two outs, but they would be left stranded to end the game.
Fort Mill struggled at the plate only managing four hits. McCluney led going 1-3 with two RBIs and Craddock went 1-2 with two RBIs as well. Gutmann was the only Post 43 player with two hits in the game.
On the mound, Cooper Mitchell got the start and threw well, but Post 43 didn’t give him the run support he needed. Mitchell went four and a third innings allowing two runs on three hits, while walking two and striking out eight.
Ben Chuttey came in the game in the fourth inning, but only lasted an inning and two thirds allowing four runs on three hits, while walking two and striking out one, as Rock Hill would regain the lead and hold on to win.
Fort Mill now turns their attention to the North Carolina/South Carolina Challenge this weekend in Hartsville where they will play a game on Saturday, June 28 and two games on Sunday, June 29.
June 27 Roundup
The Fort Mill Post 43 Juniors improved to 6-2 on the season with a 14-10 road win over Rock Hill Post 34 on Thursday, June 26. Eli Cheske, Declan Errett, and Jackson Carroll each had two hits in the game and two RBIs to lead at the plate. Michael Carapreso also had two hits in the game. Cheske got the win going four and two-third innings allowing three runs on seven hits, while walking two and striking out four.
Mac Banks: mac@fortmillprepsports.com, @fortprep
