Pee Dee Academy earns playoff bid

Going into their playoff series at Hilton Head on April 27, the Pee Dee Academy Golden Eagles were advancing to the second round of state tournament action for the first time in recent memory. This very seasoned team, with seven seniors, was determined to continue. With a super-spirited effort, Splinter Spivey and Dickie Martin's team got it done.

They broke out the bats early with a pair of quick runs in the first. And, behind starter Kevin Thomas, they would hang onto that lead until the fourth.
It was here that Hilton Head tied the game. But, the Golden Eagles came back and reclaimed the lead on a home run by Brett Hester that reignited the fire.

Hilton Head came back and took the lead in the bottom of the fifth, however, the Golden Eagles were quick to respond and took back the lead for the final time in the top of the sixth.
They hung on for the 11-9 win.

Thomas got the win and Dennis Moore finished off the final two innings, giving up only one hit, to earn the save. Charlie Fincannon dominated with the bat, going 4-for-4 and scoring three runs. Jed Hayes also had three runs scored, gathering three hits of his own. Thomas aided his own cause with three hits and Hester had the big two-run shot.

In game three at Mullins, the Golden Eagles came out and took the early lead. This time, Hilton Head had no chance.
Moore took over on the hill and pitched six innings of masterful baseball. He controlled the game with his bat, going three for five with a home run, collecting three RBI's. He was only a double shy of the cycle as he also slammed a triple in the contest.
Estes had another solid game at the plate, with three RBI's off three hits. Hester had another pair of hits, as did Cody Gibson and Hayes who touched home three times for runs.
Thomas came on and got the save in the 12-4 win.

The victory moved Pee Dee to 10-9 for the season and into the second round of the SCISA baseball playoffs. Waiting was top seed First Baptist. A team with hot bats and an all-star starting pitcher proved themselves in this match-up.
The Hurricanes jumped on Pee Dee for seven early runs in the first game. Thomas, the Golden Eagle starter, settled down, but could never string together enough hits to rally. The final was 12-2 in favor of First Baptist. The Hurricanes wasted no time jumping out early in game two.
Moore came out a little over charged and over threw many of his pitches, allowing First Baptist to take a quick 4-0 lead. They added two more in the second. Then, Moore and the Pee Dee defense shut the door, allowing no more runs to score.
Once again, however, they were unable to rally.
The Golden Eagles fell 6-2 and ended their season at 10-11.
"This group of seven seniors has meant so much to this program," said Spivey following the final game.
"They built up year by year, making the playoffs, winning a game, then winning a series. They have given the young kids coming up behind them something to build on and improve upon," he said.