GREER – Two big innings for Fort Mill Post 43 allowed them to power their way to a 13-2 win and stay alive in the American Legion State Tournament.
The win pushed Fort Mill to 19-6 overall as they move to the next round on Monday, July 29 at Francis Marion University. They are scheduled to play the loser of Florence-Chapin/Newberry at 4 p.m.
Fort Mill got off to another good start after Nico Bartolotti walked and Cooper Zohner hit a two-run home run to right field.
Hunter Busque and Jackson Mullen both walked. Busque would steal and an attempted pickoff led to him scoring from second. Simon Fernandez walked for Fort Mill leading to a pitching change for Greer with two outs in the top of the first.
Jonathan Barschow then walked to load the bases for Post 43. Anthony Moreno then hit a two RBI single to put Fort Mill up 5-0 in the first. Owen Noonan reached base on a fielder’s choice to keep the bases loaded for Post 43 as they batted around in the first inning.
A bases loaded walk to Bartolotti scored Fort Mill’s sixth run of the inning leading to Greer sending their third pitcher of the inning to the mound.
Greer came back with a leadoff solo home run in the bottom of the inning. The solo home run was all the Warhawks would get in the first inning.
Jennings and Busque led the top of the second inning with back-to-back singles. Mullen reached on a fielder’s choice, but scored Jennings on the play.
Greer again had their leadoff hitter reach to start the bottom of the second inning. The Warhawks player would be picked off by Busque while trying to steal second and Fort Mill would get out of the inning without allowing a run.
Post 43 had two runners reach in the top of the third inning, but didn’t get a hit or score a run in the inning for the first time in the game.
Greer again threatened in the third inning, with the bases being loaded with two outs, but again Fort Mill got out of the inning without allowing a run.
Fort Mill continued to play strong defense and was able to put together a 1-2-3 inning in the fourth inning.
In the top of the fifth, Barschow led the inning off with an infield single. He was able to make it to third, but no further as Post 43 left him stranded.
Zohner and Jennings led the sixth inning off with consecutive singles leading to another visit from the Greer bullpen. A walk to Busque loaded the bases with no outs. A bases loaded walk to Mullen scored Zohner, which led to Greer bringing in their fifth pitcher.
Fernandez doubled in two more runs for Fort Mill. A walk to Barschow loaded the bases for Post 43. Marano had a sacrifice fly to score another run giving Post 43 an 11-1 lead. Fernandez scored on a passed ball.
Greer went to their bullpen again with Post 43 having runners on the corners. Bartolotti drove in a run on a sacrifice fly to make it 13-1 before Greer could get out of the inning.
Post 43 starter Sam Czyz got one out in the sixth inning before being pulled. He would go five and a third innings allowing two runs on four hits, while striking out four and walking two in getting the win. He would be replaced by Lane Ross, who came in and gave up two hits, one of which scored a run.
Zohner, Jennings, and Fernandez each had two hits and two RBIs in the game.
Mac Banks: mac@fortmillprepsports.com, @fortprep
