FLORENCE — Even with all the one-run losses early in the season, West Florence coach Bob Kleinknecht praised his team throughout the year for never giving up.
On Tuesday, the Knights might have seen their efforts come to fruition.
Spencer Matthews pitched a complete game and Matt Connelly drove in three runs as West Florence defeated Carolina Forest 9-2.
The win puts West (8-6, 4-5) in good position for the fourth and final playoff spot in Region 6-4A. The Knights might even move up to third place with a win against Conway on Friday and some help.
“These guys have put in a lot of hard work,” Kleinknecht said. “Even when we were losing all those one-run games, these guys kept plugging away and worked to get better.
“That’s why we played in the (Southeastern Baseball Classic) — to get better. Playing against that type of competition is something you hope carries over.”
With West holding a 2-1 lead, the game — and possibly the Knights’ season — might have hinged on one key inning.
Matthews threw two strikes in the top of the fourth before rain forced a 25-minute delay. After play resumed, a one-out single and then a double put Carolina Forest runners on second and third with one
out.
Matthews, though, struck out the next batter and then forced a popup to the third baseman to end the threat. The Knights’ starter allowed just two runs on seven hits with seven strikeouts and no walks.
“I came back in (after the rain delay) and felt the same as I did before,” Matthews said. “I just made sure to throw strikes and let my defense take care of the rest.
“Fortunately, we were able to come out and get some runs after that.”
The Knights’ offense exploded for five runs in the bottom of the fourth. Dustin McRae had a two-run single and Chandler Smetana, Tim Lorent and Connelly all drove in runs.
Connelly added a two-run homer in the fifth inning to complete a 3-for-4 night. Smetana and McRae also finished 3-for-4.
“We prepared all week for Carolina Forest,” Connelly said. “We saw their pitcher (Josh Knab) earlier in the year, so we kind of knew what to expect from him.”
Knab took the loss for the Panthers. In six innings, he gave up six earned runs and struck out seven. He was also 2-for-3 with a solo homer in the fifth inning.
Catcher Matt Archer was 2-for-3 as well with a double. Center fielder Matthew Jolly drove in the Panthers’ first run with a single in the top of the third.
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