Florence Post 1 defeated Inman 13-1 on Monday and eliminated Camden 15-4 on Tuesday to advance to the 2104 South Carolina Legion state championship.
Florence took a 3-run lead over Inman’s Post 45 in the first inning on Monday with Zach Herndon hitting a triple for two RBI. Post 1 picked up another runner in the second and added four in the fifth and two in the sixth before capping the win with four runs in the ninth.
Dillon’s Weston Bailey was hit by a pitch in the second inning to help advance Clay Martin, who scored on a single by CJ Hopkins. Bailey also singled in the top of the fifth to pick up another runner for Post 1.
Inman’s only run came in the fifth inning with Landon Collins hitting a double to reach base and scoring on a single from Dallas Betsill.
Zack Newton earned the win for Post 1.
On Tuesday, Florence defeated Camden’s Post 17 15-4 with 10 of their runs coming in the final two innings. Florence scored four runs on five hits in the eighth and six runs on two hits in the ninth.
Latta’s Jackson Williams had a fielder’s choice RBI in the eight inning, which also saw Hopkins and Herndon hit RBI doubles. Williams also hit a sacrifice fly in the night.
Alex Dorriety pitched 5.3 innings for Post 1, allowing three runs, seven hits, and two walks while striking out four. Patrick Lovelace and Kam Dixon pitched relief for Post 1 in the win.
Florence improved to 36-3 as they advanced to their third straight state title appearance. Sumter’s Post 15 will face Florence for the state title and needs to win twice to claim the championship. Post 1 holds a 3-0 record against Sumter this season.
The Post 1 team includes Dillon’s Bailey and Patrick Herring, as well as Latta’s Williams and John Kever Love.
UPDATE: Florence Post 1 claimed the state title with an 8-4 win over Sumter. It is the second state championship title for Post 1 in three years.
