Six errors by Fort Mill Post 43 helped to lead to a 10-7 loss to Lexington Post 7 in their opening of the American Legion Senior State Tournament Friday.
Lexington Post 7 struck first scoring a run in the top of the first inning off one hit. Fort Mill would have a big first inning in response.
Owen Noonan started things off with a double in the bottom of the first. Nico Bartolotti singled and Cooper Zohner walked to load the bases with no outs. Zach Jennings singled to tie the game and Hunter Busque put Post 43 ahead with a single of his own. Jackson Mullen and Jonathan Barschow both singled to drive in runs for Fort Mill. Post 43 batted around to take a 5-1 lead after the first inning.
Lexington picked up three runs on a couple of hits and a couple of errors by Post 43 in the second inning.
Fort Mill had one base runner reach in the bottom of the second inning, but couldn’t score.
Post 7 kept the hot bats with three consecutive hits to tie the game at five. They would get two more runs on sacrifices to go up 7-5 heading into the bottom of the third.
Errors continued to plague Post 43 as they added a fourth error to their total. Fort Mill starter River Joye was taken out after three and a third innings. Joye gave up seven runs on seven hits, but only four earned, while walking one and striking out two.
John Dober replaced him on the mound and would go three innings allowing three runs on four hits, while striking out one and walking one.
Post 43 clawed their way back in the game scoring in the bottom of the fifth as Simon Fernandez drove in a run on a sacrifice.
Brennan Helms led off the bottom of the sixth with a walk and stole second. Noonan moved him to third on a sacrifice. Bartolotti then tied the game with a sacrifice to make it 7-7.
Lexington again rallied in the top of the seventh loading the bases off two singles and a hit batter. A passed ball then led to Post 7 taking an 8-7 lead. Another error by Post 43 led to two more runs for Lexington to put the score at 10-7.
Mullen led Post 43 at the plate going 2-3 with an RBI. Fort Mill scattered eight hits in the game and six different guys had an RBI.
The loss drops Post 43 to the elimination bracket in the double-elimination state tournament. They are now 18-6 on the season and will play Greer Post 115 Saturday on the road in an elimination game.
Mac Banks: mac@fortmillprepsports.com, @fortprep
