The Chesnee Lady Eagles had to rally from an early four run deficit to down the Clinton Lady Red Devils 9-5 to advance to the District Championship.
"We do the hard things in practice, and the fruits of their labor come out when we see tough situations. We are very blessed with the type of young ladies we have in this program." Chesnee Coach Tripp Fogle about his team overcoming the early deficit. Back to back singles by Kam Akins and Grayson Taylor led off the game for Clinton, but Chesnee pitcher Sam Carver escaped the jam with a pop up, and back to back strikeouts. Kam Akins did a nice job in the circle for Clinton in the bottom of the first as a Sierra Bowen two out walk was all for Chesnee. A single and a double by AG Cross and Maddi Wood lead off the second for Clinton. After a two out Kam Akins walk, Grayson Taylor singled to drive in a pair of runs, and Mac Taylor tripled in another pair of runs to give Clinton a four run lead. "I told them not to panic and to score some runs, and I had a hunch we would be ok." Coach Fogle said when asked what he told his team after Clinton's big inning. Chesnee would respond in the bottom of the second as Ali Scruggs and Shenandoah Bishop hit back to back one out singles, and Shelby Harris followed with a three RBI inside the park home run to cut the Clinton lead to a run. Chesnee got a shut down inning from Sam Carver in the top of the third as a pair of one out base runners was all for the Lady Red Devils. Kyleigh Thompson would lead off the bottom of the third with the first of her two doubles on the night. Shenandoah Bishop would beat out a infield single to plate Thompson. A pair of stolen bases by Bishop and a Hannah Henderson walk and heads up play by taking an uncovered second base to gave the Lady Eagles runners at second and third with one out. Mattie Martin would follow with a two RBI double, and Sam Carver would later help her own cause with a RBI single to give Chesnee a three run lead. "It felt great to be able to step up for my team, and now we are focused on Crescent." Chesnee's Shenandoah Bishop said when asked how it felt leg out two game infield RBI singles including one to tie the game in the fourth. A pair of two out hits, a single by Mac Taylor and a double by Hunter Benson was all for the Lady Red Devils in the top of the fourth. Kam Akins had a nice response for Clinton in the bottom half as a two out Kyleigh Thompson double was all for the Lady Eagles. In the top of the fifth, Clinton got a run back on a solo home run by Maddi Wood over the left field fence to cut Chesnee's lead to two. A pair of singles by Hannah Henderson and Shelby Harris led off the bottom of the fifth, and Harris would later score on another Sam Carver RBI single to get the run back. Grayson and Mac Taylor each had a one out single in the sixth for Clinton, but the Lady Red Devils failed to push across either run to cut into the Chesnee lead. Becca Watson would lead off the bottom of the sixth with a deep double, and would later score on a Shenandoah Bishop infield RBI single to give the Lady Eagles a four run lead. Sam Carver would send Clinton down in order in the top of the seventh to give the Lady Eagles the win. Chesnee's bottom third of the order of Shenandoah Bishop, Hannah Henderson, and Shelby Harris came up huge for the Lady Eagles as the trio combined for 7-10 with a home run, five RBIs and four runs scored. "We just did what we could to help our team win, we all contributed tonight to helps us earn the win." Chesnee's Hannah Henderson said Chesnee pitcher Sam Carver had a nice start on the mound, and pitched a solid final five innings as she gave up one run, scattered six hits, and striking out four over the final five frames. Chesnee will travel to Crescent on Wednesday at 5pm to play for the District Championship. Chesnee must beat Crescent twice to advance. On Monday the Chesnee Eagles golf team backed up their impressive performance at the Spartanburg County tournament by winning the Region II-3A Golf Championship at Meadowbrook Golf Club. The region championship is the second straight region championship for the Eagles golf team.
“I’m really proud of our guys,” said head coach Andy Pitt. “Winning back-to-back region championships is a great accomplishment.” Chesnee’s Garrett Cooper won Region Player of the Year honors by shooting a seventy-three on Monday. He wasn’t the only Eagle to have an impressive day on Monday though as Coleton Bridges (75), Jake Vaughn (77), and Casey Britt (82) were all named All-Region with their performances on Monday. ”Having four players make All-Region is big for us,” said Coach Pitt. “We’ll look to keep building on what we accomplished today as we continue to move forward.” Ethan Holcombe and Will Atkins from Chapman along witn Samuel Wyatt and Hanna Webber from Broome also made the All-Region team on Monday. The Eagles will return to action on Monday for the Upperstate Finals at Three Pines Golf Course in Woodruff. The Chesnee Lady Eagles softball team scored a run in every inning as they downed Clinton 13-1 in five innings in the opening round of the district playoffs. "I'm proud of them. I was really impressed with how hard we hit the ball early in the game." Chesnee Head Coach Tripp Fogle said. Mattie Martin led off the bottom of the first with a triple and the Lady Eagles never looked back as Sam Carver followed with a RBI single to give Chesnee a one run lead after one inning of play. After Paige Scruggs retired six of the first seven batters she faced, her team responded by adding seven runs in the bottom of the second. Scruggs helped her own cause with a leadoff single, and later scored on a Sam Carver two RBI single, and Sierra Bowen followed with a two RBI triple. Becca Watson followed that up with a RBI single of her own, and Paige Scruggs once again would help her own cause with a two RBI single. Clinton would get on the board in the top of the third with a Nigeria Johnson RBI ground out and also would get there only hit from a Mac Taylor RBI single. Chesnee would get two more runs in the bottom of the third as Sierra Bowen drove in a run on a bases loaded hit by pitch, and Ali Scruggs would help her sister's cause by driving in another run. Chesnee would add three more runs in the bottom of the fourth as Sam Carver added a two RBI single, and Sierra Bowen added a RBI single. Sam Carver and Sierra Bowen had huge nights at plate as both went 3-3. Bowen had a triple and 4 RBIs, and Carver added 5 RBIs. "It feels great that I was able to help my team out with a big night, and we are able to advance." Carver said. Chesnee pitcher Paige Scruggs pitched her second one hitter of the week as she pitched five innings and only giving up a single and a run. It was also her second one hitter of the week. "It feels great to win the first playoff game. I had a great defense behind me. I think we did pretty good all around." Scruggs said Coach Fogle was pleased with Scruggs' performance in the circle, "I'm really proud of Paige. This was one of the best games she has pitched this year." Chesnee will travel to Crescent on Saturday at 1pm. The winner will host the district championship. BaseballChesnee baseball had a solid night at the plate and got a big start on the mound from Austin Brown as they downed Pendleton 6-2 to advance the district playoffs
"We play well here at home, and when you are on the brink of elimination every win is a big win. I'm proud of my guys they played well." Chesnee Head Coach Scott Wease said. Austin Brown had to work around a pair of one out base runners in the top of the first, but a groundout and a strikeout ended the inning. The bottom of the first Kyler Reagan would lead off with a bunt single and steal second. Reagan would later score on a hard hit RBI double off the bat of Blake Scruggs. Brown would respond with a shut down inning in the top of the third as he sent the Bulldogs down in order. Jacob Henson would reach after beating out a potential double play and after a Pendleton error would reach third. He would score on a Matthew Wood RBI ground out. Brown would once again respond in the top of the third with a shut down inning. Pendleton pitcher Conner Simpson was able to get his first shutdown inning in the bottom of the third. Brown would extend his streak to eleven straight batters retired with a perfect fourth. In the bottom of the fourth, Gabe Murabito would score on a Pendleton error, and Kyler Reagan would add another run as he drove in Matthew Wood with a RBI single. Brown would allow his lone hit of the night a single by Grant O'Shields to end his streak of eleven straight retired, but Brown would respond by striking out the next three batters to end the top of the fifth In the bottom half of the inning, Jacob Kimbrell would turn a one out single into a run thanks to a Gabe Murabito double, and a Bulldog wild pitch. Jacob Henson would drive in Murabito with a RBI sacrifice fly to center. Pendleton would plate a run in the top of the sixth as Payton Bunch drove in Hayden Fuhr after Fuhr led off the inning with a single. Pendleton would add a run in the seventh with a RBI single from Hayden Fuhr. Chesnee got a solid start from SMC signee Austin Brown as he pitched a complete game scattering 6 hits, and striking out five. "I really wanted to give my team a chance to keep our season going, and win for my teammates." Brown said. Chesnee got solid contributions up and down the lineup as eight of the nine chesnee batters reached. "We've been close all year, and we've been swinging the bat better as the season had progressed. I think everyone in the lineup barreled a ball up tonight." Coach Wease said about his team's offensive performance. Chesnee will travel to Indian Land on Saturday. The winner will advance to play Union County on Monday in the district championship. The Chesnee athletic department had seven students sign to compete at the college level next season on Thursday morning giving the Eagles ten commitments as of now for the 2018-2019 school year.
The first player to sign for the Eagles on Thursday was Sydney Sanford who committed to run track and cross country at Converse College next season. She will be majoring in art education and said that the environment at Converse is what led her to choose the Valkyries. "I really like the environment," said Sanford. "Every time I have been there everyone is so caring and cares about your future. That was the kind of environment that I was looking for when looking at colleges." Spartanburg Methodist College also got two commitments from Chesnee on Thursday as Austin Brown signed to play baseball and Jackson Hoskyns committed to compete in track and field. Brown said that his commitment to go to Spartanburg Methodist had a lot to do with the familiarity he feels with the program. "I have a few friends that go there in Nate Lamb and Kobe Miller," said Brown. "They are doing really good over there and when I got the offer I knew where I wanted to go. I'm excited about going to work with Coach Wallace and the coaching staff there too." Lander added two Chesnee commitments as well on Thursday as Chase Carver and Jacob Henson signed to compete on the fishing team with the Bearcats. They both said that the opportunity to continue their fishing careers together was big in their decision. "We not only fish here together on the team together but we fish on other lakes around the area together too so we know each others strengths and that helps us as a team," said Carver. Henson also added, "I feel like we have a lot of advantages of fishing together over the years and if we went to college with a new fishing partner it just wouldn't be the same." Chesnee wrestler Brandon Dasen also committed to continue his wrestling career next season with Coker College. Dasen who won over one-hundred matches in his Eagles career said that the family feel at Coker was key in his decision. "Coach Nelson the head coach at Coker made me feel like family when I went there on visits," said Dasen. "I'm looking forward to getting a chance to compete for a starting spot down there next year." The Eagles also had a member of their inaugural soccer program commit on Thursday as Ilya Shubentsey committed to continue his soccer career at Erskine College next year. When the Spartanburg County golf tournament ended on Thursday at Woodfin Ridge golf course the Chesnee Eagles found themselves in fourth place out of fifteen schools behind defending 5A State Champions Gaffney and two other strong 5A teams in Dorman and Byrnes.
"I was pleased with our team finish today," said Chesnee coach Andy Pitt. "We aimed to compete with the top schools in the county and we were right there." The Eagles on Thursday were one of only four teams to finish the day with a combined score below 300 as they Eagles finished the day with a score of 299 just six shots behind the tournament champions Gaffney and one shot behind Byrnes for third place. Chesnee was trailed by Spartanburg (302) who finished fifth and fellow district school Boiling Springs (305) who finished sixth. "We are getting closer to where I want us for postseason," said Coach Pitt. "We still dropped some unnecessary shots throughout the round. However, this is closer to playing where we need to be to compete in the state final." Chesnee's Garrett Cooper made All-County by shooting a 71 on Thursday afternoon. The Eagles will return to play on Monday when they compete in the region championship at Meadowbrook Golf Course. TJ Betenbaugh hit a walkoff single in the bottom of the ninth inning to propel Union County to a 5-4 win over the Chesnee Eagles in the first round of the District IV AAA Baseball playoffs.
"I'm proud of my team, we couldn't catch a break all night. My heart breaks for these kids, we kept battling and battling, and never gave in." Chesnee Coach Scott Wease said when asked how he felt about his team's performance after the game. Kyler Reagan led off the game with a single and later Blake Scruggs followed with a one out single to put runners at first and third. Reagan would later score on a double steal attempt to put Chesnee up by one after the top of the first. TT Kershaw reached first to lead off the bottom of the first after being hit by a pitch. After a Trey Parks walk and a Chesnee error put runners at second and third, TJ Betenbaugh hit a RBI ground out to tie the game at one. The RBI was the first of four on the night for Betenbaugh. Back to back singles by Landon Thompson and Blake Scruggs gave Chesnee runners at first and second with no outs. Union would retire the next two batters but a Gabe Murabito infield single and a Yellow Jacket error plated a Chesnee run. After a Jacob Henson walk to load the bases Matthew Wood would also draw a walk to give Chesnee a two run lead heading into the bottom of the fourth. Union County was able to tie it up in the bottom of the fifth as a pair of two out walks followed by a TJ Betenbaugh two RBI double tied the game at three. In the top of the sixth Jacob Henson ripped a two out double that hit a foot below the top of the left field fence. A wild pitch and a Matthew walk would give Chesnee runners on the corners with two outs but a misplayed double steal attempt would end the threat. Blake Johnson would lead off the bottom of the sixth inning for Union County with a walk. Mason Melton would follow with a one out double to put runners at second and third. Rett Wages followed with a RBI ground out to give Union County their first lead of the night. Jonah Epps would lead off the top of the seventh with a single. After Kyler Reagan was hit by a pitch and Landon Thompson singled, Blake Scruggs followed with a RBI ground out. Chesnee would again load the bases in the top of the eighth but a nice double play by Union County would end the inning. TT Kershaw would reach first after being hit by a pitch in the bottom of the ninth. Back to back walks would load the bases for Union County with one out. TJ Betenbaugh would follow with his second hit of the night and his fourth RBI with a walk off RBI single. Chesnee got a good start for Chase Carver as he went five innings scattering three hits and striking out five. "Chase did exactly what we thought he would do. He has been great for us all year and he is a senior that wanted the ball and he gave us a shot to win." Coach Wease said. Chesnee will host Pendleton on Thursday after they fell 6-3 to Indian Land. Union County will travel to Indian Land. Just last season Chesnee pitcher Austin Brown was ending his junior season with an impressive start in the second game of the state baseball series and was looking towards his senior season. When the Eagles ended up falling to Latta in game three of the state series little did Brown know that getting over the loss of that series would be the least of his worries that offseason.
After Brown and his sister Shea came back from a mission trip to Poza Rica, Mexico to minister to children in the area the Brown family decided to take a family vacation but little did they know their world was about to be flipped upside down. "We had a good week at the beach and we came back not knowing what was going to happen the next morning,” said Austin’s father Billy Brown. “I went to bed one night and woke up the next morning and my world was changed.” On August 2nd, 2018 Billy Brown suffered the first of two strokes as he would suffer a second stroke just eight days later. The second stroke which was the most severe caused him to be paralyzed on one side of his body and forced Mr. Brown to attend Roger C Peace rehab center in Greenville. As a family the Browns came together for one another in what was going to be a tough road. "We have always been a close knit family as the four of us are inseparable and we challenged it head on together," said Austin's mother Jennifer Brown. "It wasn't just me taking care of Billy but it was us four working together. Billy had to learn how to walk and he had to learn how to talk." With his father recovering in rehab the stroke wasn’t the only health problem in the Brown family as Austin suffered an injury of his own that robbed him of his senior football season before it ever began. With a tough ending to the 2018 year the Brown family turned their focus to the 2019 year and the goals they had planned for it. One of those goals was accomplished on March 6th when Billy Brown took his place behind the microphone at Dean Jones Field for the Chesnee baseball team’s first home game of the season against Woodruff. " If it wasn't for the strength of Jennifer, Austin, and Shea I wouldn't be here today,” said Billy Brown. “I appreciate them for all they did for me." When talking about making his return to his spot behind the microphone Mr. Brown says that getting to see his son pitching on the mound again and getting to be there to announce it made the work of the rehab worth it all. "It was big the first time I seen him run out on the field to go pitch,” said Mr. Brown. “It showed me that all the work was worth it and just how proud I was of him and that I got to be there to announce his name." The announcers table wasn’t the only place feeling thankful as Austin says that he shared those same feelings as he took to the field for that home game. "It is a blessing from God just for him to be here with us and for him to call my name as I run out onto the field,” said Austin. “I play for him and my family every day." The Brown family has overcome many obstacles this season thanks to faith, family, and baseball and with the playoffs starting up they don’t know where this season will end up but just to be back at the field again they have already been champions. Broome downed the Chesnee Eagles 6-1 in a tiebreaker for second place in Region II-3 but the win was also a big one Broome head coach Ben Waddle who won his 450tb career victory on Thursday night.
The Centurions got an impressive performance from their starting pitcher on their way to victory as Broome’s Rylan Brown pitched six innings of one run ball while scattering seven hits and striking out four. Broome got the scoring started as Braxtin Turner singled to plate the first run and later in the inning got caught in a rundown to plate a second Broome run. Chesnee responded in the top of the fourth as Jacob Kimbrell drove in a run on a hard hit single. Broome scored four more runs in the bottom of the frame as Ethan Crump and Dakota Carver each hit a two out two RBI single. Chesnee got a solid performance in relief from Chase Carver as he pitched a scoreless final two innings allowing only two hits while striking out four. Broome will host Mid-Carolina to open the playoffs while Chesnee will travel to Union County. Chesnee got a huge night from senior Sierra Bowen on senior night as she helped lead the Lady Eagles to a 11-3 win over the Woodruff Lady Wolverines.
Woodruff plated a run in the top of the first as Brooke Satterfield drew a leadoff walk and later stole second and third. Madison Jacobi drove in Satterfield with a RBI ground out. Chesnee responded in the bottom of the first inning by having the first three batters reach and Becca Watson would tie the game with a RBI ground out that brought home Whitney Haulbrooks. Kylie Thompson had the big hit in the inning for the Lady Eagles with a two RBI double and Shenandoah Bishop followed with a RBI single of her own. Chesnee once again load the bases as Sierra Bowen hit her second home run of the season and her first career grand slam to give Chesnee an 8-1 lead. "I knew I hit the ball hard but I was really just wanting a base hit,” said Bowen. “I looked over and it was out. It felt great." Bowen added another RBI in the third while Sam Carver and Shelby Harris each added an RBI as well. Chesnee got a big night in the circle from starter Paige Scruggs as she went 4 1/3 innings while only allowing two hits and striking out four. Sam Carver pitched the final 2 2/3 innings allowing two hits and striking out three. Bowen finished the two for three at the plate with a grand slam and a walk on senior night. "It's pretty great and something I'm always going to remember,” said Bowen about her senior night game. “I'm glad I was able to contribute and help my team.” Senior Whitney Haulbrooks scored the first run for the Lady Eagles and was proud of how she has contributed during her senior season. "It feels pretty good knowing that I try to give it my all and that my teammates look up to me." Haulbrooks said Chesnee Head Coach Tripp Fogle is proud of what his two seniors have done for the Chesnee program. "I'm very proud of what they have given to our program,” said Coach Fogle. “I’m not surprised by their success on the field.” The Emerald Vikings came to Dean Jones Stadium on Saturday afternoon and picked up an 8-2 win over the Chesnee Eagles. The loss was bittersweet for Chesnee head coach Scott Wease as Colby Painter was a member of the 2010 Chesnee State Championship team and a former member of Coach Wease's coaching staff is now the head coach at Emerald High School.
"It is always great to see a guy who played college ball and get into coaching," said Coach Wease. "It was exciting to see him come back." Coach Painter was happy to come home and capture a win at his old stomping grounds. "It was great to come back here seeing everybody and playing in this great atmosphere," said Coach Painter. "It was good to see these old coaches and players I played with as well as seeing Coach (Dean) Jones' jersey out in right field." Emerald's Caleb Wright drew a walk to leadoff the top of the second inning and later scored on a Caleb McLaughlin RBI single. After allowing runners to reach second and third base Chesnee pitcher Cole Hoskyns got Emerald to fly out to the centerfielder to end the threat. Chesnee responded in the bottom of the second inning with two runs as Jacob Kimbrell got a one out single and Jacob Henson followed with a RBI double to the outfield wall. A Curtis Stacey walk and a Kyler Reagan single loaded the bases for the Eagles before Landon Thompson followed with a sharp RBI single through the left side of the infield to give Chesnee a one run lead after two innings of play. Emerald tied it back up in the top of the third as Sean Adams hit a one out single and later scored on a Brayden Ridge RBI single. In the top of the sixth Emerald took over what had been a pitchers duel as the Vikings would plate five runs in the inning. Cam Lollis hit a deep one out RBI double for the first run of the inning and after a ground out Emerald got four consecutive hits that drove in runs. Chase Prochaska and Jacob Slay had RBI singles while Sean Adams got the Vikings second RBI double of the inning. Braeden Burton rounded out the scoring with a RBI single of his own. Emerald's Gage Timmerman added another run in the top of the seventh as he scored on a Chesnee error. Chesnee got a good start out of sophomore Cole Hoskyns as he went four and a third innings and scattered three hits while surrendering only three runs. Coach Wease was pleased with his young starter, "He threw well and he gave us a shot to win," said Coach Wease. "He did his job and he did it well." Chesnee will be back in action on Monday as they host East Rutherford before facing Broome at Chapman on Thursday to determine who will finish in second place of Region II-3A. |
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