By Thomas Grant Jr.
Just call them the “Cardiac Eagles”.
The Airport baseball team had two dramatic wins to advance to the final of the Class 4A Lower State District B bracket.
On Monday, it trailed Region 4-4A rival Gray Collegiate 2-0 through 4 ½ innings. A Matthew Perry RBI single put the Eagles on the board in the Bottom 5th.
In the sixth inning, Landon Jeffcoat tied the game with a leadoff homer. After back-to-back singles by Justin Sightler and Brayden Dunlap, Isahia Clemons had a go-ahead RBI bunt, Daniel Butts doubled and Hunter Epps had an RBI groundout for the 5-2 win.
The following night in the Eagles’ Nest, Airport saw a 4-run lead to May River disappear in the sixth inning. With two baserunner reaching after getting hit, Butts came through again with a walkoff RBI single for the 7-6 win.
Airport now awaits the winner of the elimination game between May River and Gray Collegiate on Saturday. The War Eagles eliminated Brookland-Cayce 2-1 on Tuesday as Zak Perry struck out seven batters and allowed just four hits.
Riley Huggins broke the 1-1 tie in the fifth inning with an RBI double.
Top seed Gilbert was stunned in extra innings 6-5 by region rival Aiken. It faced a must-win contest at home against Lakewood Tuesday and came away with a 12-0 victory in five innings.
Cooper Price went 2-3 with three RBI and Cooper James and Dalton Taylor had two RBI for the Indians. They travel to Aiken Thursday with the winner scheduled to face North Augusta Saturday.
In Class 5A, White Knoll swept its Best-of-Three play-in series with St. James. After an 11-8 road win in Game One, the Timberwolves got three RBI from Keaton Bennett and Jeremy Powell struck out seven in the 10-7 victory.
The Timberwolves will next travel to Berkeley Saturday. Last year’s Class 5A champion Lexington will also open the playoffs Saturday after a bye.
Meanwhile, River Bluff travels to Mauldin Thursday for a deciding game in its Best-of-Three play-in series.
After getting shut out 6-0 in Game One, the Gators answered by blanking the Mavericks 2-0. Pitcher Dalton Corley struck out eight and allowed just three hits and Ashley Powell went 3-3 with a RBI.
S.C. BASEBALL COACHES ASSOCIATION TOP 10 POLLS
5A Division 1
1. James Island, 2. Blythewood, 3. Dorman, 4. Stratford, 5. Lexington, 6. Fort Dorchester, 7. Dutch Fork, 8. Boiling Springs, 9. JL Mann, T10. River Bluff & Summerville
5A Division 2
1. Fort Mill, 2. Indian Land, 3. North Myrtle Beach, 4. TL Hanna, 5. Chapin, 6. Catawba Ridge, 7. West Florence, 8. Lucy Beckham, 9. Eastside, 10. Berkeley
CLASS 4A
1. Gilbert, 2. A.C. Flora, 3. Airport, 4. Fountain Inn, 5. Seneca, 6. Hartsville, 7. Westside
8. Daniel, 9. Bishop England, 10. Laurens
CLASS 2A
1. Mid-Carolina, 2. Cheraw, 3. Clinton, 4. Batesburg-Leesville, 5. Chesnee , 6. Landrum, 7. Strom Thurmond, 8. Barnwell, 9. Phillip Simmons, 10. Andrew Jackson
SOFTBALL
Region 5-5A co-champions Gilbert and Gray Collegiate opened the post-season with dominating victories.
Carley Melton drove in four runs, three on an inside-the-park homer, and Ainsley Minchew went 2-3 with two RBI in the 14-0 win in four innings over Wilson.
Minchew had nine strikeouts, walked two and allowed no hits.
The Lady War Eagles scored 11 runs in the first inning of its 15-0 victory over Bluffton in three innings. Madison Bungarner drove in two runs and Kaylan Boudreau had a 2-run homer.
Starting pitcher Peyton Hendrix pitched a perfect three innings, striking out four.
In Class 5A, White Knoll blanked Lucy Beckham 3-0 in Class 5A Division II. Lexi Burkard struck out seven and allowed just one hit in 6 2/3 innings and Mia Sciacca had a 2-run double.
The Lady Timberwolves traveled to top-seed Berkeley on Wednesday.
River Bluff opened Monday with an 11-1 win over Spartanburg. Blythe Sanders and Samantha Gillis both drove in three runs and Claire Starkey allowed just two hits to send the Lady Gators to J.F. Byrnes Wednesday.
Region 4-5A champion Lexington also opened play Wednesday after a first-round bye. The Lady Wildcats face Wade Hampton at home Wednesday.
Photo by Matthew Schilit – Airport ‘s Landon Jeffcoat
