FLORENCE — As host for the American Legion baseball state tournament, Florence Post 1 knew it would be playing next week at Legion Field.
But, coach Derek Urquhart said, there’s nothing like earning your way in.
Florence did that Friday night by rallying from a 6-0 deficit to beat Conway 8-7, winning the best-of-five series 3-2.
Post 1 scored two runs in the ninth, and will head intoWednesday night’s game as either the No. 2 or No. 3 seed in the lower state.
Since Florence and Goose Creek have the same record, the better seed will be decided by a tie-breaker — in this case the team that has given up the fewest runs.
“We wanted to make sure we won our way in,” Urquhart said. “Our guys did a fantastic job of hanging in and playing how they are capable of playing.”
Post 1’s latest rally came just a day after it came back to score five runs in the top of the 14th to win a previously suspended game three. Florence almost pulled it off in game four later Thursday night, but fell 17-15.
Conway led 6-0 after the top of the fourth Friday, but a two-run homer from Brandon Hyman got Post 1 on the board and provided some momentum.
Florence scored another in the sixth, two more in the seventh and one in the eighth to trail 7-6 heading into the home half of the ninth.
Landis Lane led off with a single, and Robert Skinner and Austin Morrell both reached on bunts to load the bases.
Keith Branco drew a game-tying walk and John Taylor followed with a sacrifice fly to left to score Skinner for the game-winner.
“Our guys just haven’t thrown in the towel no matter how desperate it has looked,” Urquhart said. “We chip away, get a run here and there, then all of a sudden we get one big inning and we’ve got the lead.”
Spencer Matthews made sure Post 1 stayed within striking distance. He pitched four innings of relief, giving up tw hits and a run to get the win.
Jeremy Knab pitched two innings of relief and took the loss.
Florence’s first game in the state tournament is set for 8 p.m. Wednesday at Legion Field against an opponent still to be determined.
C 001 500 010 — 7 9 0
F 000 201 212 — 8 12 3
WP — Spencer Matthews (4 IP, 2 hits, 1R 1 ER, 1 K, 1 BB).
LP — Jeremy Knab (2 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 K, 1 BB).
Leading hitters — F: Branco 2-3, 2 R, 2 RBI; Tyler Boyd 2-4, 2B, HR, R, RBI; Brandon Hyman 2-3, 3 RBI, HR. C: Mac Doyle 2-4, 2B, R.
Records: F: 22-10
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