Marion Post 5 downs Florence, takes American Legion division lead

Marion Post 5 got out to an early start against division leader Florence Post 5 in Friday night’s baseball game when they scored four runs in the bottom of the first inning.

Marion would hang on to slim leads throughout the night until the sixth inning, when a Cam McRae shot off of Marion pitcher Chris Washington put Florence ahead for the first time, 9-8.

“We had just come off of a tough road loss, and the guys had recommitted to a higher level of play,“ Marion Coach Chris Drose said.

“I’m proud of these kids because they came out and played hard tonight.“

Down by one run, Marion would not be denied and roared back to life in the bottom of the sixth inning.

The rally started with a Chris Washington single, followed by Justin Gause reaching first after being hit by a pitch.

Justin Elvis then delivered a timely single to score Washington.

The game was tied.

Drose and his staff made a call to pull a “walkoff” and slowly drew Elvis toward stealing second base.

When the Florence catcher bit on it, they sent Gause home from third and the lead was theirs.

A hit from C.J. Hopkins scored one more and Marion held on to win it with Justin Gause taking to the mound for a save.

With that win, Marion secured first place in a tight division race.

The two teams will play again June 26 in Marion.

Their next, contest though, is Monday against Mullins, who beat Marlboro County twice. They then face Cheraw Tuesday