By Thomas Grant, Jr.
The Lexington baseball team entered Wednesday one win away from the Class 5A final.
The Wildcats opened Friday with a 6-5 win over Dutch Fork. This was their 10th comeback victory of the season and started with two outs in the bottom seventh.
University of South Carolina signee Brandon Cromer began the comeback with a single. A Jackson Cionek single and Tradd Burton walk set up a scoring opportunity for Braydon Jeffcoat, whose 2-run double tied the game.
Burton then completed the comeback win as he scored off a wild pitch.
The loss sent Dutch Fork to Dorman for an elimination game. The Cavaliers led 2-0 through four innings when the Silver Foxes tied the game in the Top 5th off an error and RBI fielder’s choice.
Aaron Sturgil put Dorman ahead with an RBI single in the Bottom 6th and Dutch Fork stranded the go-ahead run in the Top 7th for the 3-2 loss.
While the Silver Foxes’ season ended, Lexington advanced to the Upper State final with a 4-3 win over J.L. Mann.
Cionek put the Wildcats ahead 2-0 with a double and Spivey followed with a RBI fielder’s choice. Lincoln Hill added an RBI single in the second inning and Cromer held the Patriots scoreless through 6 ⅓’ innings.
Cam Sutton relieved Cromer with the bases loaded and one out. After getting Dawson Siffri to fly out, Sutton gave up a bases-clearing single to get within a run.
Brayden Studebaker entered the game after Sutton allowed another single and retired the final four batters for the 4-3 win.
Lexington played host to Dorman Wednesday for the Upper State title.
S.C. BASEBALL COACHES ASSOCIATION ALL-STATE SELECTIONS
CLASS 5A: Caden Reeves (Chapin), Will Burgess & Jackson Burton (Both of Lexington), Hunter Phipps (Dutch Fork) and Beat Hollins (River Bluff).
CLASS 3A: Scott Hardy and Brunson Price (both of Gilbert)
CLASS 2A: Jabari Flemon* and Jacob Clark (both of Mid-Carolina)
*SCBCA Class 2A Co-Player of the Year.
Photos by Lexingtonwildcats.com
Lexington celebrates win over Spartanburg.
