Summerville swept a best of three series with Cane Bay to advance in the 5A Division 1 Baseball playoffs.
The Green Wave opened the playoffs May 4 with an 11-1 victory at Green Wave Park. The next evening, Summerville handed the Cobras a 7-3 loss at Cane Bay to eliminate them.
“We hit the ball really well against Cane Bay both nights and played good defense,” said Summerville coach Thane Maness. “In the first game Brady Coryell threw a complete game. In the second game, their young lefty held us down for the first three innings, but we competed and battled. Trenton Morris pitched well and Evan Rash and Preston Maloy threw in relief.”
Summerville had momentum entering a playoff game at Stratford May 9, but lost a pitcher’s duel 5-1. Stratford senior Jarrett Wagner threw a one hitter. The Citadel signee struck out eight Green Wave batters and only walked two.
Coryell was also strong on the mound, but wasn’t able to work his way out of some tough two-out with runners on base situations. He was relieved after the fourth batter in the bottom of the seventh inning with two Stratford runners on base and a 1-1 score.
The Knights loaded the bases, setting up a walk-off grand slam by Lucas Kline. The Stratford designated hitter finished the game 3 for 4 at the plate with four RBIs and a run scored.
Kayleb Pinckney steals second in the fourth inning of Summerville’s game at Stratford May 9.
The main offensive highlight for Summerville was Trippe Tillman’s RBI single that drove in courtesy runner Kayleb Pinckney in the top of the fourth inning for a 1-0 Green Wave lead.
Summerville (18-10-1) hosts Fort Dorchester (15-14) for an elimination game May 11. The winner of that game will face either Stratford (19-8) or James Island (25-2) May 13.
“This team is tough so they are going to give me their best effort,” Maness said. “We are mentally built to handle a situation like this.”