FLORENCE — Post 1’s power production wasn’t supposed to be a strong point for the 2008 squad, coach Derick Urquhart said before the season began.
His team responded by belting 32 homers, the most in Urquhart’s tenure.
He repeated his statement again this year, although with a little less certainty than before.
Through Wednesday, Post 1 has had no trouble in the power department.
Florence has hit 13 home runs in seven games (six preseason) and has pounded out 32 extra-base hits.
“We’re not swinging at bad pitches right now,” Urquhart said. “We’ve had more walks than strikeouts, and that’s always a good sign.
“A lot of homers have been no-doubters, too. The guys are really turning on fastballs right now.”
Keaton Lutcken and Charlie Abbott had three homers apiece during the preseason Post 1 Invitational, while Landis Lane and Spencer Jordan each added one. Post 1 scored 31 runs in the tournament.
In Florence’s 10-0 win against Conway on Tuesday, Jordan, Chandler Smetana and Phillip Herring helped tally three more long balls.
“Tonight was just a culmination of the weekend,” Urquhart said. “We really carried over what we had been doing well in the tournament to Tuesday’s game.
“I don’t expect our next game with Conway to go like this, but it’s always good to get that first league win and to get a game up on one of your competitiors.”
The power has been an added bonus, but Post 1 is still doing to the little things right, Urquhart added.
Florence had 10 stolen bases in the preseason and added two more against Conway.
Good sign?
Post 1 added more pitching depth this season to help combat injuries.
But they didn’t have to scrap the bottom of the barrel talent-wise to do it, Urquhart said.
And if Robbie Brown is any indication, Florence’s rotation might be one of the deepest in the state.
Brown, a junior at Dillon High and youngest pitcher on the staff, tossed six shutout innings against Conway.
The outing backs up a stellar weekend by Florence pitchers. In four games at the Post 1 Invitational, the staff allowed three runs or fewer every time.
“We feel our top four starters are as good as anyone’s,” Urquhart said. “They’ve all pitched very well and given us strong innings.
“We’re actually still trying to find ways to work some more guys in.”
Did you know . . .
The last time a Post 1 player threw a no-hitter was on July 7, 2003, at Manning.
The pitcher of record was former Lamar and South Carolina standout Jeff Jeffords. Jeffords went all nine innings in a 3-0 victory in game 1 of the first round of the state playoffs.
It was also the last time a Florence pitcher recorded a complete-game shutout.
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