Young Falcons baseball team improving each day

By WORTHY EVANS

Columbia - The A.C. Flora baseball team is no stranger to playoff brackets and titles, having won seven state championships under head coach Andy Hallett. Many of this year’s Falcons actually are newcomers to the varsity level, and Hallett says they’re learning the ins and outs of the program every day.

“We’re just trying to find our way and understand what it’s like to play varsity baseball at a young age,” Hallett said. “Represent the program and understand that people don’t care how old you are, it’s still varsity baseball. The kids are growing every day that we’re out here. I’m excited to coach them and they’re a lot of fun to be around.”

Indeed, Flora is young. The first five players in the batting order are sophomores, First baseman Tyler Hernandez, second baseman (and Falcons quarterback in football) Roper Wentzky, outfielder Charlie Scott, third baseman Jack Chetwood, and outfielder Scott Graham. Behind them is the only senior in the lineup, outfielder Evan Smith. Freshmen Rohan Bremmer and Joe Ray usually hit in the seventh and eighth slots. Junior catcher Lucus Biel rounds out the usual lineup, but freshman catcher Dylan Hernandez makes the order depending on the starting pitcher.

Senior right-handers Hank Collins and Ryan Harrelson top the list of starting pitchers. Juniors Carter Harrington, Luke Shalkham, Harris Rivers, and Adger Johnson also see time on the mound, as well as sophomores Scott, Tyler Hernandez, and Sam McCutcheon.

The Falcons got off to an 0-5 start this season, with two of those losses were by one run apiece. A.C. Flora has since improved to 5-5 and 4-0 in Region 5-4A as of March 28.

“Every game is important with the roster we have. We’re not looking ahead, we’re not looking behind, we’re focusing on the task at hand,” Hallett said. “As long as we don’t get caught up in a lot of noise. I told the guys (after the first four games) that we’re two hits away from being 2-2, and if we’re 2-2, nobody cares. Don’t panic, don’t push the button, don’t listen to the noise, concentrate on what you do and things will balance out.”

Since that time they chalked up their first win of the season, a 7-5 victory over Dreher March 16. The Falcons beat Westwood twice to open region play, and recently beat Richland Northeast Twice. They won those games, each by 10 runs or more, by a total score of 58-8.

A.C. Flora is currently playing in their longtime tournament, the Forest Acres Classic. This year features Dutch Fork, Miller, Va., Brookland-Cayce, Dorman, Oceanside Collegiate, Defending 5A champion River Bluff, and Region 4-4A champion Airport.

We’re excited about that,” Hallett said. “It’s going to be a really good crowd, and I look forward to watching baseball besides playing in it. It’s always fun to sit around and watch baseball all day right here at the park.”

The A.C. Flora softball team got off to a 9-0 start to the season before running into Dixie and Gray Collegiate Academy. The Falcons lost 4-1 and 6-5 to the Hornets March 23, then fell 13-2 to the War Eagles March 25.

At 2-0 in Region 5-4A, A.C. Flora resumes region play April 9 at Irmo.