All three of our local softball team – Dillon, Latta, and Lake View – went undefeated in the first two rounds of the SCHSL state softball playoffs to advance to host the district championships on Wednesday night. The winners will advance to the first round of the lower state playoffs on Saturday, May 9.
Here’s a look at the Class A and Class 2A softball playoffs heading into Wednesday’s games:
CLASS A
In District VIII, Latta was scheduled to host Branchville on Wednesday night. The Lady Vikings shut out Branchville 18-0 on Saturday but the Yellow Jackets downed Timmonsville on Monday to advance to the district title game. Branchville had to win twice to take the title from the Vikings.
In District VII, East Clarendon cruised to the district title game with a 21-0 win over Carvers Bay and a 17-0 win over Military Magnet. Carvers Bay defeated Military Magnet 18-1 to earn another shot at the Wolverines on Wednesday.
In District VI, Hannah-Pamplico defeated Region 6-A champ Cross 22-0 on Saturday and Green Sea-Floyds shut out Cross 21-0 in the elimination bracket on Monday to advance to the title game.
In District V, Lake View’s Lady Wild Gators were set to host Bamberg-Ehrhardt on Wednesday. The Lady Gators earned a 4-1 win over the Red Raiders on Saturday but Bamberg shut out Scott’s Branch 18-0 on Monday night to stay alive in the district playoffs. Lake View only needed one win to claim the district title.
In the upper state, Wagener-Salley defeated Great Falls 12-5 and edged Southside Christian 14-13 to advance to the District IV title game. Southside eliminated Fox Creek 7-6 on Monday night to earn a shot at the title.
In District III, Lewisville earned a 16-3 win over Ridge Spring-Monetta and a 12-2 win over Tamassee-Salem to advance. After falling 8-7 to Tamassee in round one, Whitmire knocked off Ridge Spring 17-4 and Tamassee 8-3 to advance to the title game.
In District III, region champ St. Joseph’s defeated Ware Shoals 15-2 but fell 3-1 to McBee, who shut out Calhoun County 21-0 in round one. Ware Shoals eliminated Calhoun 7-4 but fell 18-2 to St. Joseph’s, who advanced to the district championship.
Defending state champ Dixie advanced to the District I title game with a 19-0 win over Brashier and a 7-2 win over Lamar. Brashier knocked off Williston-Elko 5-3 but Lamar eliminated Brashier 11-1 on Monday to advance to the title game.
CLASS 2A
In District V, defending state champ Dillon was scheduled host Barnwell on Wednesday night. Dillon shut out the Region 5-A champs 14-0 on Saturday, but Barnwell earned a 5-3 win over Timberland on Monday to stay alive. Dillon only needed one win to claim the title.
In District VI, Andrews shut out Waccamaw 5-0 and Battery Creek 12-0 to advance to the district championship. Waccamaw defeated Wade Hampton 11-4 on Saturday and eliminated Battery Creek 12-2 on Monday to earn another shot at Andrews.
In District VII, Johnsonville shut out Loris 10-0 and Bishop England 2-0 to advance to the district championship. Edisto eliminated Loris on Saturday and shut out the Battling Bishops on Monday to advance to the title game.
Region 8-A champ Aynor defeated Lake Marion 15-5 on Thursday and earned a 19-1 win over Silver Bluff on Saturday to advance. After falling 22-5 to Silver Bluff, Academic Magnet defeated Lake Marion 9-4. The Raptors battled Silver Bluff again on Monday night, falling 1-0 as Silver Bluff advanced to the district title game.
In the upper state, Landrum and Indian Land advanced to the District I title game with Landrum earning a 6-1 win over Ninety-Six and a 4-2 win over Indian Land to advance. Ninety-Six eliminated Pelion 8-2 on Saturday but fell 8-3 to Indian Land on Monday night.
In District II, Crescent defeated Pendleton and Buford to advance to the title game, and Buford knocked off Pendleton 13-0 on Monday to stay alive in the playoffs.
Region 3-2A champ Mid-Carolina advanced to the district championship and Chesnee knocked off Saluda on Monday to advance to the District III title game.
In District IV, Andrew Jackson blanked Newberry 12-0 and Woodruff 7-0 to advance. Strom Thurmond eliminated Newberry but fell 10-6 to Woodruff on Monday. Andrew Jackson was set to host Woodruff on Wednesday.
