By Thomas Grant Jr.
A comeback victory in walk-off fashion was commonplace throughout Lexington High School’s run to a Class 5A baseball title.
Wildcat Stadium served as the site for Lexington Post 7’s season-opening victory Monday night. Fittingly, it came courtesy of the bat of a member of the state championship team.
Toby Sobieralski’s 2-out single in the bottom of the 7th game Post 7 a 3-2 victory over West Columbia.
It was his second RBI of the game, both coming off two of Post 79’s five errors.
The first one took place in the Bottom 1st on a misplayed groundball hit by Ryler Kellis. He promptly stole second and third base and scored on Sobieralski’s RBI sacrifice fly.
An infield error by Post 7 following a single by Chance Culley set up a run-scoring opportunity with two outs in the third inning. Connor Wood delivered with a 2-run single to put the West Columbia ahead.
Starter Patrick Coggins continued to hold Lexington scoreless for four straight innings, In the sixth inning, a throwing error from third to first base on a groundball by leadoff hitter Lincoln Hill enabled him to reach second base.
Garrett Sanders followed with an RBI single to tie the game. Jack Rivers, who relieved University of South Carolina commit Brandon Cromer, got out of the half inning with a popout and double play.
Rivers led off the Bottom 7th with a groundball misplayed at first base for an error. Pinch runner Will Myers stole second as the next two Lexington batters were struck out by reliever Jeremy Powell.
Soberialski faced a 2-2 count when he belted a single to right centerfield to score Myers who slid across home plate to win the game.
Cromer picked up the victory as he struck out six in five innings and allowed the only two hits by West Columbia. Jack Rivers struck out four in two scoreless innings.
The two teams met again Wednesday at Brookland-Cayce High School. Lexington then plays host to Orangeburg Post 4, while West Columbia travels to Richland Post 215 on Monday.
Photos by Thomas Grant Jr
