INMAN, S.C. – The last time that anyone saw a high school baseball or softball playoff game was in 2019 but on Friday evening, the “third season” began for a number of teams across the Palmetto State and the game in Inman, SC made the wait well worth it.
It was a battle of big cats as the Blue Ridge Tigers and Chapman Panthers met in the opening game of the 3A District II playoffs. With the game hanging in the balance, a decision in the late stages paid off, as Chapman squeezed out an 11-10 victory over Blue Ridge in 10 innings. With runners on the corners and one out in the 10th, Walt Waddell approached the dish. On the first pitch, Waddell squared around and dropped a bunt down near the mound. Jarren Metcalf took off on contact and slid across home plate ahead of the throw for the winning run. “From the seventh inning on,” Chapman head coach Steven Fusaro said. “I felt like I was going to have a heart attack… I’m almost in tears because I’m so proud of these guys. We have a mantra, ‘State on three’. Number one is the relationships with each other and with God. Number two is to make memories and they made some of those tonight. Number three is to win championships. This team has so much heart and I’m so blessed to be their coach.” “It was either drive (Jarren) in or squeeze him in,” Waddell stated. “We had tried something similar earlier in the game, but it didn’t work out. I got a pitch and did all I could do to get the bunt down. It wasn’t perfect, but it worked.” The Tigers broke the deadlock in their half of the frame, when a pair of wild pitches allowed Lewis and Bryce Roddey to sprint home and claim a 10-8 advantage. In the bottom half, Landon Solesbee notched a two-run single, which drove in Banks Atkins and Devin Roe, tying the score at 10-all. Earlier in the game, Blue Ridge had staked themselves out to a 7-0 lead, which included a David Lewis two-run homer and Braden Hairston two-run single. The Panthers broke through in the third on a Jacob Murray two-run double, cutting the deficit to five. In the next frame, Ricky Montalvo hit a one-out Grand Slam to left, making it a 7-6 contest. “It was tough early,” Montalvo admitted. “We stayed focused, had high energy, believed in each other and what we’re capable of doing. (Murray) provided a big spark with the double. My approach was to score by getting a base hit, honestly. I wanted to pass the baton to Johann (Rodriguez) behind me in the order and keep it going.” Two Panther pitchers, Gavin Humphries and Jacob Cogdell, were able to enter the game in relief and combined to hold the Tigers to three runs in six-plus innings of work. “I just wanted to pound the zone, throw strikes, and try to get ground balls or pop-ups,” Humphries remarked. “My breaking ball felt really good today and my fastball was moving well. I just want to do whatever it takes to help my team win, no matter the role. It’s about putting the team first and yourself behind them.” “I just wanted to do my job and keep us in the game,” Cogdell added. “It means a lot that they are willing to trust me in big situations, like what they put me in tonight. I had to stay mentally strong and do it for my teammates behind me. We definitely had situations where we could’ve won it earlier, but in the end, we came through and won.” Chapman (18-7) will host the winner of the Fairfield Central/West Oak contest on Monday evening. Game time was TBA when this story was published. -Justin Mathis Comments are closed.
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