The Latta Vikings varsity baseball team captured the Class 2A Lower State title on Wednesday, May 9, with a 5-4 win over the Johnsonville Flashes in Latta to set the stage for Latta’s sixth straight appearance in the championship series.
Latta played the first 4 in Class A and the last 2 in Class 2A.
The Latta Vikings jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. However, Johnsonville responded with a 4-run top of the second inning to take the lead. Latta answered with 2 runs in the bottom of the third inning of which 1 run was scored on an error.
Latta managed 7 hits in the game while holding Johnsonville to only 2 hits.
Russ Rogers led Latta with 3 singles in 4 at-bats while Chandler Matthews garnered a single, a walk, 2 rbi, and scored a run in his 3 plate appearances. Jackson Powers connected for a single and a walk in his 3 plate appearances. Jordan Hayes garnered a rbi in his 3 at-bats. Deonte Stanley doubled, picked up a walk, and scored 2 runs in his 4 plate appearances. John Malcolm George garnered a rbi in his 3 plate appearances. Pierce Watson singled and picked up a walk in his 4 plate appearances. Dylan Brewer scored a run in the game in his 4 plate appearances, and McLeod Carmichael garnered 2 walks in his 4 plate appearances.
Johnsonville’s C. Hanna connected for a double and picked up 3 rbi in his 2 at-bats while K. Hanna doubled in his 2 at-bats. Z. Wall, J. Cagle, and P. Morris each scored a run in the game.
Dylan Brewer picked up the win. He pitched 6 innings. He allowed 2 hits, walked 4, struck out 8, and allowed 4 runs of which 3 were earned. McLeod Carmichael pitched 1 inning in relief. He allowed no hits, walked no one, struck out 2, and allowed no runs.
K. Hanna took the loss. He pitched 2.1 innings and allowed 4 hits, walked 5, struck out no one, and allowed 5 runs of which 2 were earned. D. Chastain pitched 3.2 innings and allowed 3 hits, walked 2, struck out no one, and allowed no runs.
The Latta Vikings have 2 wins and 7 losses for the season.
Latta hosted Chesnee on Saturday, May 12, in the Class 2A state championship series
