SCISA BASEBALL STATE CHAMPIONSHIP ROUNDUP

Mullins – Hilton Head Christian Academy scored three runs in the top of the seventh inning to beat 2-time defending state champion Pee Dee Academy in the opening game of the SCISA AAA baseball state championship series on Monday at the PDA field.
 

The Eagles will have a chance to win the state title on Wednesday in Game 2 of the best-of-3 series at its home field in Bluffton beginning at 6 p.m. The game was scheduled for Tuesday but was moved back because of rain.

Keene Reese had two runs batted in for HHCA. Roman Collela had two hits and Jackson Richardson had the other hit. Scoring runs were Slaide Burd, Richardson and Jesse Hall.

James Crosby and Dylan Clark combined to limit Pee Dee to just one hit. Crosby worked 4 1/3 innings, allowing the hit and an unearned run. He walked four and struck out one. Clark worked the final 2 ½ innings, striking out four and walking none.

Hughes Elvington had the one hit for the Eagles. Colby Richardson scored the run and Ryan Hucks had an RBI.

Colby Richardson had 5 1/3 innings of scoreless pitching for Pee Dee. He allowed two hits, struck out eight and walked four.

“Pitching was lights out on both ends as there were only four hits in the entire game,” said Hilton Head Christian head coach JW Wilkerson. “It was a big time state championship atmosphere. The thing about our team is we never quit and we never believe we are out of the game. One through nine, anybody and everybody on our team can do a job.

“We had one out in the top of the seventh and end up scoring three runs to seal the Game 1 victory. James Crosby and Dylan Clark pitched amazing for us. We grinded out at-bats at the plate all night long.”

AAAA

Augusta Christian 3

Cardinal Newman 1

Martinez, Ga. – Wilson Donnelly threw a complete game 5-hitter and had two hits and two RBI to lead Augusta Christian School to a 3-1 victory over Cardinal Newman in the opening game of the AAAA state championship series on Monday at the ACS field.

ACS, the defending state champion which improved to 18-10 on the season, will try to wrap up a second straight state title in Columbia on Tuesday beginning at 6 p.m. If the Cardinals win, a deciding game will be played on Thursday at a neutral site.

Donnelly struck outs seven and walked just two while allowing an unearned run. He had two of the Lions’ seven hits, one of them a double, and drove in two runs. Khaleel Pratt had a hit, a run and an RBI, while Santiago Pacheco had a hit and a run. Others with hits for ACS were Eli Duckworth, Eric Doyon and Charlie Davis. Luca Perriello scored the other run.

“The boys played extremely well tonight behind a complete game outing from senior Wilson Donnelly,” said Lions head coach Austin Robinson. “It was a gutsy effort. We hit as well as we could. (Austin) Laughlin, their starter, is a dude on the mound.”

Laughlin had a strong performance on the mound for Cardinal Newman. He scattered seven hits and walked none while striking out nine. Only one of the runs was earned.

Alvin Murray led the CN offense, going 2-for-3 with a double and scoring the run. Tristan Neely had a hit and an RBI, while Connor Hooks and Jeb Britt had the other hits.

AA

        Dorchester 6

Calhoun 2

St. George – Ben Wimberly pitched 4 2/3 innings of 1-hit baseball in relief to lift Dorchester Academy to a 6-2 win over Calhoun Academy in the opening game of the AA state championship series on Monday at the DA field.

The second game is scheduled for Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. in St. Matthews. A win by the Raiders gives them the state championship. If CA wins, a deciding game will be played on Thursday at a neutral site.

Wimberly threw 29 pitches to get the win. “The defense was solid behind him,” said Dorchester head coach Brent Jackson, whose team improved to 17-6.

Aiden McDaniel led the Raiders with two hits. Wayland Gruber, Connor Hartzog, Nicholas Pinckney, Tyler Westbury, Landon Holley and Brenner Dantzler each had a hit.

“We got the hits when we needed them,” Jackson said. “The timely hits and the strong defense was the recipe for our win tonight. The boys are playing together as a team and are willing to do anything to reach their goal.”

Colt Layton led the Cavaliers with two hits. Connor Hayes had a hit and an RBI, while Joseph Lyons and Chase Strickland each had a hit.

“We got outplayed and outcoached in all phases of the game,” said Calhoun head coach Todd Layton. “I tip my cap to Dorchester. This will be our fifth elimination game during these playoffs. We will be ready.”

CLASS A

Richard Winn 8

Holly Hill 2

Holly Hill – Miller Stuck threw a 1-hitter to lift defending state champion Richard Winn Academy to an 8-2 victory over Holly Hill Academy in the opening game of the Class A state championship series on Monday at the HHA field.

The second game is scheduled for Tuesday at 6 p.m. in Winnsboro. A win by RWA gives it the state championship. If the Raiders win, a deciding game will be played on Thursday at a neutral site.

Tony Armstrong hit a 3-run home run for Richard Winn while Ethan Steward had a 3-run double.

“It was a great team win,” said RWA head coach Paul Brigman. “The pitching and defense kept them from getting anything going, and our offense led the way.”

“Their pitcher Stuck was really good, kept working really fast and kept us off our game,” said Raiders head coach Andy Green. “All the credit goes to him. He gave up one hit all night."