Clinching a third trip to the American Legion Southeast Regional in six years will have to wait a day for Chapin/Newberry Post 193/24.
Heavy rainfall and lightning suspended Wendesday's state American Legion winner's bracket contest at Spirit Communications Park. Chapin/Newberry held a 4-0 lead over Sumter Post 15 in the top of the 5th inning.
The game will resume at 5 p.m. Thursday with Chapin/Newberry at bat with two outs and the bases loaded. Post 193/24 had pounded out nine hits and got RBI from Ward Hacklen, Preston Farmer, Tanner Folk and Will Kroske.
Starting pitcher Jonathan Bickley held Sumter scoreless through four innings. He has not allowed a run in his last 10 innings pitched, but because of rules concerning pitch count and number of appearances during a 3-day period is expected to miss the reminder of the state tournament. 
The loser of Thursday's resumed game will face defending state champion Florence Post 1 at 7 p.m. in an elimination contest. Florence (31-7) scored five runs in the Bottom 7th to stun Gaffney Post 109 7-6. 
Gaffney scored six runs in the top of the sixth to take a 6-2 lead over Florence. After scoring in the bottom half of the inning, Post 1 rallied to tie the game in the seventh and eliminated Post 109 from the tournament on Lex Tuten's walkoff RBI single. 
The winners of Thursday's contests not only advances to Friday's 4 p.m. final. They will also qualify for the Southeast Regional starting Aug. 8 at McCary Park in Asheboro, N.C.