Struggles with the bullpen and errors led to the Fort Mill Post 43 Seniors dropping their first League IV game of the season.
Post 43 lost 6-4 to Lancaster Post 31 on the back of five errors in the game to fall to 7-2 overall on the season and 4-1 in league play.
Lancaster broke through in the second inning scoring two runs on three hits. Jeremy Dawkins would single scoring Spencer Sims and Carter Cox to get Post 31 on the board.
Post 43 was able to get one back in the bottom of the second. Jonathan Barschow singled to start things and Thomas Ealey would drive him in. Owen Noonan tied the game with a single scoring John Dober and Nico Bartolotti gave Fort Mill the lead with a sacrifice scoring Ealey.
A Post 43 error put Cade Jackson on for Lancaster to open the fourth inning. A one out walk would then put two runners on base, but Fort Mill starter Jackson Mullen battled back to get out of the jam without allowing a run.
Daniel Durham walked to lead off the bottom of the fourth and would eventually score on a sacrifice by Noonan.
Aiden Cattarin came in for Mullen in the sixth inning. Mullen would go five innings allowing two runs on five hits, while walking two and striking out seven, but would eventually not get the decision.
Lancaster jumped at the opportunity getting a walk and single with no outs to open the sixth inning. A walk by Post 31 would load the bases and then a Fort Mill error would score two runs for Lancaster tying the game at 4-4. A hit batter again loaded the bases for Lancaster which ended the night for Cattarin.
Liam Quinn would come in and get out of the inning without any more damage.
In the seventh, Lancaster started with a walk and then a hit batter. That led to an error by Fort Mill which gave Post 31 the lead with no outs.
After a pitching change by Post 43, the next two batters walked leading to another Lancaster run which would be enough to clinch their first win of the season.
Post 43 out hit Lancaster 5-4 as Noonan led going 2-4 with two RBIs. Quinn got the loss going one inning allowing two runs on no hits while walking one.
Post 43 heads back to Lancaster for the rubber game Thursday, June 20.
Juniors bounce back against Rock Hill
The Fort Mill Post 43 Junior team bounced back after their first loss of the year to pick up a 10-4 win over Rock Hill Post 34.
James Knoll went 2-3 with an RBI to lead Post 43 at the plate as they scored four runs in the first inning.
Cole Stukitz got the win on the mound going two innings and allowing four runs on two hits, while walking three and striking out five. Zach Boutwell pitched four innings of relief allowing just one hit while striking out five. Zach Young finished the game pitching one inning of hitless ball.
Post 43 improved to 7-1 overall and will head to Kershaw Wednesday, June 19 to face the Post 31 Eagles.
Mac Banks: mac@fortmillprepsports.com, @fortprep
