For the 2nd time this season, it appeared Lexington Post 7 would play in a shortened contest. 

Lexington and Richland Post 215 were tied at 2-2 Friday just as daylight started to dissipate at Seven Oaks Park. Umpires expressed concern about the game’s conclusion since no one in the park has access to the locked light box.

Just before sunset, a staff worker arrived with a key to open the light box. His arrival proved even more timely for Lexington, which minutes later erupted for 3 runs in the top 7th for the 5-2 victory. 

The victory improved Post 7 to 5-3 overall, 2-1 in the S.C. American Baseball Summer League Midlands Division. The Monarchs (0-3, 0-2) remained winless on the season.

The game was tied at 1-1 when Kamari Anderson of Lower Richland hit an RBI single in the bottom 3rd to give Richland the lead. Clemson-bound Ricky Williams of River Bluff answered with a solo home run just over the right-centerfield fence in the top 4th.

The game remained deadlocked over the next 2 innings. While Newberry commit Roman Golston of Ridge View remained on the mound in the 7th, Lexington starter Payton Dawkins was relieved by Lexington’s Elijah Ogden in the 6th inning after allowing just 3 hits and striking out 2.  

Alex McGinty started Post 7’s game-wiinning rally with a leadoff single. After Mason Eaddy struck out, Travis Elliott belted a double to move his Gilbert High School teammate to 3rd base.

Williams connected with a sacrifice fly into rightfield to score McGinty. 

University of South Carolina commit David Cromer followed with an RBI single to make it 4-2. Cromer advanced to 2nd on a Noah Davis single, then scored on a single by Cam Ferrell of River Bluff against a Richland reliever. 

Ogden pitched another scoreless inning to earn the victory.

The two teams meet again Monday at Roscoe Frye Field in Lexington.