By Thomas Grant Jr.
From honoring state high school sports champions to supporting farming, this past weekend showed why the Lexington County Blowfish sees itself as a community team.
It started Thursday with the Class 4A softball champion Gray Collegiate softball team. The next two nights saw the Class 2A and Class 4A champions of Batesburg-Leesville and Airport recognized on the field by co-owner Bill Shanahan.
Those same nights saw Blowfish players wear “American Farmer” jerseys with the names of various vegetables on their backs. This was part of the Home Grown, Home Runs Weekend in which the jerseys were auctioned off with proceeds going to the Lexington Farm Bureau.
(Photos by Lexington County Blowfish) Lexington County Blowfish players milk a cow in between innings as part of “Home Grown, Home Run” promotion.
Saturday was also NASCAR Night, where rare Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles produced by the late Dale Earnhardt were displayed near the front entrance.
In addition, 11-year-old K1 Speed Junior Division National and World champion Kenneth Blevins of Pelion was a guest of honor. He and the Blowfish also raised funds to support his racing career.
On the field, the Blowfish continued to maintain a perfect home record in Coastal Plain League play. The homestand began June 3 with an 11-0 rout of the Boone Bigfoots in seven innings.
Lexington County led 1-0 through six innings. It erupted for 10 runs in the seventh, with University of South Carolina and River Bluff graduate Beau Hollins ending the game with a 3-run homer.
The next night saw the Blowfish defeat the Macon Bacon 7-3. Pitcher Kevin Steelman struck out six in five innings and Hollins and Andrew Ortiz each had an RBI.
On Saturday, Lexington County improved to 5-0 at home with a 3-2 win in seven innings over the Florence Flamingos. Matt Simay scored before an inning-ending double play was completed in the fifth inning.
A violent thunderstorm that swept through the Midlands resulted in the suspension of the game.
Weather also shortened Monday’s first-place showdown against Forest City. This time, the Blowfish found themselves on the losing end of the 5-1 outcome in five innings.
League Leaders
Several Blowfish players are ranked in the Top 10 of individual statistical categories in the Coastal Plain League.
Zack Cowart of River Bluff is ranked third in batting average at .471. Catcher Antonio Ortiz is sixth at .424 and is one behind Blake Martin of Dutch Fork in fifth place with nine RBI.
With two victories, Blythe Keisler is one of five pitchers leading the league in victories. Kevin Steelman is seventh in the CPL with 11 strikeouts, six in last Thursday’s 7-3 win over the Macon Bacon.
Chanticleer/Blowfish connection
The Coastal Carolina baseball team’s return to the College World Series exhibits a strong positive reaction from the Blowfish.
Back in 2016, the Chanticleers began their run to the national championship at Lexington County Baseball Stadium. They won the Big South Tournament in their last season in the league.
This year, there are three former Lexington County players on the current Coastal Carolina roster. Starting redshirt freshman infielder Walker Mitchell of River Bluff went 3-5 with two RBI in the 4-1 win over Auburn at the Super Regional.
Mitchell, who’s scheduled to return to the Blowfish following the CWS, also set a school record with his 31st hit by pitch in Game One of the 7-6 win in 10 innings.
Senior outfielder Wells Sykes of Lexington is playing his first season with Coastal Carolina. The Citadel transfer is batting .292 with 35 RBI and 17 stolen bases.
Fellow senior infielder Ty Dooley of Blythewood High School is in his third season with the Chanticleers. The Radford transfer is batting .298 with 36 RBI and six home runs.
The CWS begins Friday at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha, Nebraska.
BLOWFISH SCHEDULE
THURSDAY – FOREST CITY 7:05 p.m.
FRIDAY – CATAWBA VALLEY STARS (Exhibition) 7:05 p.m.
SATURDAY – at Tri-City 7 p.m.
CATAWBA VALLEY STARS (Exhibition) 7:05 p.m.
SUNDAY – at Holly Springs 7 p.m.
TUESDAY – at Boone 7 p.m.
WEDNESDAY – MACON 7:05 p.m.
