A fifth inning rally by Fort Mill Post 43 Juniors kept them undefeated as they got a 10-9 win over the Post 31 Eagles improving to 5-0 on the season.
The Post 31 Eagles threatened in the first inning, but starter Carter Powell settled down to get the outs he needed with the help of his defense.
In the bottom half of the first, Alex Smith led off with a triple to get things started and James Knoll drove him in with a single. Despite getting several more base runners, Post 43 wasn’t able to get them across.
The Eagles led the second inning off with consecutive singles. Both of those runners scored off a passed ball and a wild pitch by Post 43 giving the Eagles the lead.
Fort Mill struggled to get things going offensively in the second inning and despite getting base runners, left them stranded.
Post 31 started off hot in the third inning with a leadoff single. Back-to-back errors led to a run scored as Fort Mill started the inning off with a new pitcher in Ryan Stukitz.
The Eagles ended up scoring four runs in the inning off three Post 43 errors as Poat 31 went up 6-1.
Smith walked to open the bottom of the third inning and was knocked in by Knoll. The run cut into the Eagles lead but Post 43 wasn’t able to get anything else.
Post 31 got that run back in the top of the fourth inning off one hit.
Post 43 started becoming more patient at the plate and drew several walks in the fourth inning. Cooper Diehl drove in Cole Stukitz on a sacrifice fly. Smith would single to drive in Carson Krueger cutting Post 31 lead to 7-4.
In the fifth inning after two consecutive walks by Post 43 to open the bottom half, the Eagles went to their fourth pitcher to of the game. Cole Stukitz singled to load the bases and a Post 31 error scored two runs for Fort Mill. Diehl then singled driving in two more runs to give Post 43 their first lead of the game at 8-7.
A second outfield error would score another run for Fort Mill. A passed ball kept things rolling for Post 43, before the Eagles went to their bullpen once again. That worked as Post 31 got out of the inning without allowing another run after giving up six runs in the inning.
Despite giving up the lead, Post 31 fought back with a run scoring double in the sixth.
A wild pitch would score another run before Ryan Stukitz would be replaced by Knoll on the mound. He would go three and a third innings, while allowing seven runs on four hits. He would walk four and strikeout three.
Knoll would hold the Eagles at bay getting out of the inning without allowing anymore runs.
Post 43 needed some insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth, but despite getting the bases loaded, were unable to get any offense.
The Eagles continued to be a thorn in Post 43’s side in the seventh, but Knoll was able to get them out in the top of the seventh to get the save.
Knoll also led at the plate as both him and Smith got two hits in the game. Knoll had two RBIs and Smith had an RBI. Diehl went 1-2 at the plate with three RBIs.
Seniors pick up road win
The Fort Mill Post 43 Senior team got a 7-0 win over Winnsboro Post 16 on the road at Fairfield Central High School.
Jackson Mullen went six strong innings allowing five hits while not allowing a run or walking any. He struck out eight.
Post 43 score six of their seven run in the first two innings as they were led by Thomas Ealey at the plate, who went 2-3.
Fort Mill improved to 5-1 on the season with the win and 2-0 in League IV play. They will host Winnsboro Thursday at Fort Mill High School to finish the season series.
Mac Banks: mac@fortmillprepsports.com, @fortprep
