The Dillon Wildcats varsity baseball team suffered a heartbreaking loss against the South Florence Bruins in Dillon on Wednesday, March 9.
The Bruins never trailed in the game. In the top of the first inning Adam Graham doubled in Will Hardee to take a 1-0 lead.
South Florence’s River Hill was hit by a pitch to begin the top of the third inning. The Bruins’ #2 walked which gave South Florence runners on first and second bases.#14 for South Florence hit a hot grounder to short stop and the Bruins’ #2 was thrown out at second base on a fielder’s choice that left runners on the corners. River Hill scored on a passed ball to give South Florence the winning run.
Dillon’s #4 De’Kendric Graves picked up a walk. While on first base an attempted pickup proved to be a mistake as the passed ball at first allowed Graves to end up on third base. #5 Jon-Mitchell Carter garnered a hit on a grounder and picked up a rbi to pull Dillon to within one run, South Florence 2 and Dillon 1.
#8 for Dillon came in as relief pitcher with runners on first and second with one out to put out a possible surge for the Bruins.
In the bottom of the fourth inning #3, the lead-off man for the Wildcats, hit a grounder up the middle for a single. However, he was thrown out attempting to steal second. #14 for Dillon hit one down the line of right field for a stand-up double. Dillon’s #11 hit a fly down the right field line that was caught for out number 2 by the Bruins’ second baseman. Dillon’s #2 grounded out to end the fourth inning.
In the top of the fifth inning #3 for South Florence struck out swinging. Dillon’s third baseman made a good catch on #17 for South Florence as he connected on a line drive.#13 for South Florence grounded out to third to end the top of the fifth inning for the Bruins. The score was South Florence 2 and Dillon 1.
Dillon’s #9 struck out swinging to begin the bottom of the fifth inning. #4 for Dillon hit a long fly to center for out number 2 in the inning. #5 hit hit a fly to left to end the inning.
#16 for South Florence got on first base but was thrown out attempting to steal second for out number 1 in the top of the sixth inning. #5 for South Florence garnered a single on a grounder between second and shortstop. #8 for the Bruins picked up a walk and runners were on first and second. On a passed ball both runners advanced to second and third base. #2 for the Bruins hit a hot grounder to first for out 3 to end the top of the sixth inning.
Dillon’s #10 led off the bottom of the sixth inning with a grounder up the middle. #18 for Dillon was inserted into the game to run for #18 for Dillon. #7 for Dillon struck out watching. With Dillon’s #3 at the plate #19 for Dillon was picked off attempting to steal second. On the next pitch #3 for Dillon hit a grounder up the middle for a single. #14 for Dillon flied out to right to end the sixth inning.
#14 for South Florence grounded out to third. $3 for the Bruins hit 1 to right for a single but was thrown out at second attempting to steal. The South Florence catcher hit one to the shortstop and was out at first to end the inning.
The Dillon Wildcats were pressing to score in the bottom of the seventh inning with Dae’Shawn Davis on third. However, Carter struck out to end the game.
Peyton Hurst was charged with the loss for Dillon.
The Bruins’ Austin Blakely picked up the win pitching all 7 innings. He allowed 7 hits, 1 earned run, and 2 walks.
Ladarious Wilson collected 2 hits in 3 trips to the plate for the Wildcats. Andrew Rowell also picked up 2 hits for the ‘Cats including a double. Jon-Mitchell Carter garnered 1 hit in 3 at bats with a rbi.
The Bruin’s Keshawn Bacote and Adam Graham each connected for 2 hits in 4 trips to the plate including a double. Graham also picked up a rbi. Austin Moore was also 2 for 4.
Dillon played Latta at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, March 11, in Latta.
