KERSHAW – The Fort Mill Post 43 Juniors for the season sweep over the Post 31 Eagles in Kershaw.
Fort Mill won 10-5 overcoming a pitching duel to start getting six hits and taking advantage of eight walks.
Post 43 started off well in the first inning getting runners on second and third base with the help of a walk and Eagles’ error. However, one of the runners was picked off second base ending the inning for Fort Mill.
Both teams were aggressive at the plate through the second inning, but neither were able to get a run across.
The pitcher’s duel would continue despite Post 43 making a change on the mound. Carter Czapla pitched two innings allowing just one hit. He was replaced by CJ Smith, who went an inning and two thirds allowing two runs without giving up a hit. He walked two and struck out two.
Two walks and a single by Carson Krueger loaded the bases in the fourth inning for Post 43. A passed ball allowed James Knoll to score the first run for Fort Mill.
A sacrifice fly by Connor Fowler scored Krueger and a passed ball allowed Cooper Diehl to come home as well putting Post 43 up 3-0. The Post 31 Eagles went to their bullpen which allowed them to get out of the inning without allowing any more Fort Mill runs.
A walk to lead off the bottom of the fourth led to the Eagles scoring on a Fort Mill error. A sacrifice fly added a second run for Post 31. Another walk to Post 31 put runners on the corners and led to Alex Downes coming in to pitch. Downes was able to get out of the inning as an Eagles player got picked off base trying to steal home.
In the sixth inning, Krueger singled getting things started for Post 43. Zach Boutwell singled scoring Krueger to extend the Fort Mill lead. A Post 31 outfield error scored another run for Post 43 keeping things rolling. Noah Wright’s sacrifice fly scored Boutwell as Fort Mill would go up 6-2 after their half of the inning.
The Eagles led the inning off with a triple by Lawson Polson. He would score on a sacrifice, but that was all Post 31 could put together.
Christian Soder led the top of the seventh off with a double for Fort Mill. That was followed with a double by James Knoll and a two run double by Krueger. Post 43 continued to add runs with the help of a passed ball and a balk, and ended the inning getting four runs to go up 10-3.
Despite being down by seven, Post 31 didn’t go quietly. The Eagles put up two runs before another pitching change by Fort Mill bringing in Knoll. He would get the final two outs to give Post 43 the win. Downes would get the win going two and two thirds allowing three runs on three hits, while walking two and striking out one.
Krueger led at the plate going 3-4 with two RBIs as Fort Mill improved to 8-1 on the season.
Post 43 next plays Monday, June 24 at home against Lancaster Post 31.
Mac Banks: mac@fortmillprepsports.com, @fortprep
