ROCK HILL- The Fort Mill Post 43 Seniors scratched out a 3-0 win over Rock Hill Post 34 to win the series.
Starting pitcher Jackson Mullen pitched a three hitter and struck out 10 and was strong for the majority of each inning.
Fort Mill wasn’t as productive to start as visitors at Rock Hill High School. Rock Hill was able to get a hit off Post 43 starter Jackson Mullen, but that hitter was left stranded at first.
The Fort Mill bats finally caught up in the second inning. A single by Zach Jennings led to a stolen base. Jennings was then driven in by Simon Fernandez giving Post 43 an early 1-0 lead.
Brennan Helms and Thomas Ealey each drew walks to load the bases, but that’s where the offense stopped as Fort Mill was unable to get another run across.
Rock Hill threatened in the bottom of the second inning getting two runners on off one hit, but left them stranded.
In the third inning, Post 43 got two hits, but had a runner picked off and another one left on base.
Jonathan Barschow walked to lead off the top of the fourth and Fernandez reached on an error. A walk to Ealey loaded the bases again for Post 43. Nico Bartolotti drove in Barschow to put Fort Mill up 2-0 before they were called out on the base paths on the same play.
Post 43 continued to get base runners. Fernandez and Helms started the inning off with walks. Owen Noonan drove Fernandez in on a sacrifice fly adding to Fort Mill’s total. Cooper Zohner got hit by a pitch to load the bases for Post 43, but again was unable to push a run across.
Post 34 got one runner to second, but Mullen was able to refocus and get out of the inning without Rock Hill doing any damage.
In the top of the seventh, Fort Mill got runners on the corners, but again failed to score. However, Mullen then proceeded to finish the game facing the minimum in the seventh to get the complete game shutout.
Post 43 for just six hits in the game. Bartolotti and Jennings each got two hits for Fort Mill. Fernandez and Busque each got a hit as well.
Post 43 will complete the season series against Rock Hill on Thursday, July 11 at home at Fort Mill High School. Fort Mill should have a bye in the first round of the playoffs which start next week.
The Post 43 Juniors, who have a bye in the first round of the Juniors’ playoffs, will play Inman Post 45 in the second round starting Monday, July 15.
Mac Banks: mac@fortmillprepsports.com, @fortprep
