Lexington Post 7 is one game away from elimination in the South Carolina American Legion playoffs.

Camden Post 17 defeated Lexington 9-5 in Game Three Wednesday at Legion Field to take a 2-1 lead in the series. Camden can clinch a berth in the second round with a win Thursday at Lexington High School or Post 7 can force a deciding game Friday at Legion Field.

An RBI single by Zack Smith gave Lexington a 1-0 lead in the top of the first. Camden answered with back-to-back RBI doubles by William Cobb and Chase Galloway in the bottom half of the inning to take the lead.

Camden added two runs in the bottom of the second on a RBI single by Bradwin Salmond and RBI double by Zac Branham.

Jackson Hannon of River Bluff High School brought Post 7 to within 4-3 with an RBI single. Two outs earlier, Dalton Landsowne was picked off first base after a leadoff walk.

A balk called on Lexington starting pitcher Cameron Cribb put Camden up 5-3 in the bottom of the third. In the top of the fourth, Jay Beebe deadlocked the game again with an RBI double and scoring on a groundball misplayed by Branham at second base.

Branham made amends in the fourth. He reached on a double and scored on Jake Laffin’s single to put Camden ahead 6-5 for the third time in the contest.

Post 17 added to its lead in the fifth following an RBI single by Jaiden Garner and RBI fielder’s choice by Salmond. Calloway provided further insurance in the sixth with an RBI double.

Justin Dorton allowed 10 hits in the complete game victory.

David Jacobs, Ryan DeRienzo and Walker McDowell all had two hits each to lead Lexington.

Chapin/Newberry advances

For the fifth straight year, Chapin/Newberry Post 193/24 is a game away from reaching the state American Legion tournament.

Chapin/Newberry advanced past Anderson Post 14 and will face the winner of the Best-of-Five series between Greenwood Post 20 or Greenville Post 3.

The series is slated to begin Monday at Smith Road Complex on the campus of Newberry College. Greenwood took a 2-1 lead in the series with an 11-2 win Wednesday over Greenville.