NATURCHEM INVITATIONAL - Lexington, River Bluff stay undefeated, Urban repeats as Home Run Derby champion

THOMAS GRANT JR.
chroniclesports@yahoo.com
Posted 3/7/20

Day 2 of the Naturchem Invitational saw its share of on-field fireworks, dramatic endings and a career milestone.

Both co-host teams Lexington and River Bluff improved to 2-0 in the tournament …

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NATURCHEM INVITATIONAL - Lexington, River Bluff stay undefeated, Urban repeats as Home Run Derby champion

Posted

Day 2 of the Naturchem Invitational saw its share of on-field fireworks, dramatic endings and a career milestone.
Both co-host teams Lexington and River Bluff improved to 2-0 in the tournament Saturday. 
Over at Wildcat Stadium, the host team defeated Belton-Honea Path 6-5. After the Bears scored 4 runs in the Bottom 6th to tie the game, Ryan Toll belted a go-ahead solo home run in the Top 7th. 
It was Toll's 3rd hit of the game. 
Blake Knight returned to the mound in relief and retired the final BHP batters for the victory. Cal Herndon started the game and struck out 4 batters in 4 innings. 
David Cromer and Brantley Stroud each had 2 hits. He and Knight both had 2 RBI in one hit, with Cromer coming on a 2-run homer.
Earlier in the day, Summerville outlasted Lugoff-Elgin 13-10 after scoring 9 runs in the 6th and 7th innings. The contest featured both teams combining for 19 hits and each committing 4 errors.
Over in The Swamp, play opened with Blythewood defeating Wren 11-1. The 2nd game saw Dorman beat Airport 11-1 to improve to 1-1 at the Invitational.
Cavaliers' head coach Jack Jolly earned his 500th career win. 
River Bluff shut out Sumter 14-0 in 5 innings. Jack Benedict struck out 7 in 4 innings, Zach Cowart drove in 4 runs on 2 hits, Jacob Lebron had a 2-run homer and Alex Urban scored 3 runs. 
Later that evening, Urban defended his Home Run Derby title. With University of South Carolina quarterback Ryan Hilinski in attendance, Urban was among 12 competitors who combined to hit 80 home runs in The Swamp, resulting in $4,000 raised in donations for St. Baldrick's in their effort to fight pediatric cancer. 
Urban and Camden's Tim Abbott advanced to the final after finishing tied for 1st after the opening round with 11 home runs each. After Abbott hit 5 home runs, Urban rebounded from a slow start and repeated as champion after connecting on his 6th home run.
The Invitational concludes Sunday with 7 games at 3 sites, culminating in the 5 pm championship game at Lexington High School:


NATURCHEM INVITATIONAL SUNDAY'S SCHEDULE 
(At Airport High School)
Dorman vs. Belton-Honea Path 10 am
Sumter vs. Airport 12:30 pm


(At River Bluff High School)
Wren vs. Lugoff-Elgin noon
Mauldin vs. River Bluff 2:30 pm


(At Lexington High School)
Camden vs. Blythewood noon
Lexington vs. Summerville 2:30 pm
Championship game 5 pm
 

river bluff, lexington, Naturchem

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