FLORENCE — The Florence RedWolves were dominant in the first half, winning 20 of 28 games en route to the South Division title.
The Redwolves also was strong at Legion Field where they quickly dispatched opponents on their way to winning 12 consecutive home games.
But all good things must eventually come to an end, and winning streaks are usually the first to go. Florence dropped its next three games in front of the home fans.
Florence finally ended the skid by squeeezing out a 1-0 win over Wilmington on Thursday.
That victory was far from easy as the RedWolves needed two miraculous catches from Bruce Cameron in right field to avoid a fourth straight loss.
“(Thursday’s win) takes a lot off our shoulders,” pitcher Kent Altman said. “The fans treat us so well, and we haven’t had a good stretch lately.
“But we pulled together and got them a win.”
Florence third baseman Keon Graves said the RedWolves’ hot start put a bullseye on every player that wears the uniform.
“We won the first half and everyone was after us,” the Dillon native and Francis Marion standout said. “We’re playing good baseball. We just had a couple of bad breaks.
“You can’t focus on the losses. Hopefully we can go out there and get some more wins.”
Questionable calls
The low point for the team during its home losing streak occured in Tuesday’s 6-5 loss to Petersburg.
The contest was marred by several questionable calls by base umpire John Bostwick.
Bostwick quickly ejected coach Wes Davis in the ninth inning after the RedWolves skipper argued an out call against Alec Lowery.
The Florence first baseman beat out a slow roller down the third base line by a step but was called out by Bostwick — the second blown call against Lowery on the night.
Petersburg’s Greyson Schram got credit for an infield single for beating out a grounder in the eighth inning. Barrett Kleinknecht’s throw to first was in time, but Bostwick said that Lowery’s foot had come off the bag.
FCC chairman heads to Wilmington
Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin J. Martin will be in Wilmington on Monday to throw out the first pitch in a game between the Wilmington Sharks and Wilson Tobs at Buck Hardee Field at Legion Stadium.
The appearance is in conjunction with the FCC’s push to get awareness out to the Wilmington area about the upcoming mandatory digital television switch.
FCC representatives will hold demonstrations on how to connect and operate the digital conversion device.
Injury report
Florence catcher and FMU standout Jared Barkdoll was put on the 14-day disabled list with an undisclosed injury.
His roster spot was filled when the team signed Darlington native John Davis to serve as a backup catcher. In 26 games at Florence-Darlington Tech, the Milligan College committment batted .172 with three triples and five RBI.
Did you know?
In Tuesday’s loss to the Generals, the RedWolves passed the 20,000 mark in attendance in their 15th game at Legion Field.
It’s the earliest the team has ever reached that mark.
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