The week started rough for the West Columbia Post 79 baseball team.

An unidentified player tested positive for covid-19, resulting in teammates getting tested and putting in jeopardy its Best-of-3 second-round series with Florence Post 1. The team was also short-handed with the departure of pitcher Sam LaFrage of Airport to college at The Citadel. 

Fortunately for Post 79, no other players tested positive and it was able to open play Tuesday at Legion Field.

On Wednesday, it will play for a berth in the 4-team double-elimination tournament at Segra Park. West Columbia rallied twice for a 7-5 victory over Florence.

“The kids didn’t lay down,” West Columbia head coach Dargan Lybrand said.

Post 79 (13-1-1) trailed 1-0 when it tied the game on a Landon Lucas RBI fielder's choice. Florence reclaimed the lead with 3 runs in the bottom of the 5th, Kody Hanna had an RBI double on which Nick Carter also scored on an error at shortstop and later reached home on a throwing error by pitcher Myles Hedgecock. 

Down 4-1 headed to the top 6th, West Columbia rallied for 3 runs to tie the game. Simms Owens scored off a passed ball and Dylan Johnson and Joshua Wise each had consecutive RBI sacrifice flies. 

In the top of the 7th, West Columbia took the lead when pitcher Robbie Jordan misplayed Simms' Owens bunt. It allowed the go-ahead runner Alex Pegues of White Knoll to reach home safely. Bradley Turner scored on a throwing error to 3rd base and Landon Lucas singled home an insurance run to make it 7-4. 

Florence loaded the bases twice with 2 outs in the bottom of the 7th. It scored a run off a balk, but West Columbia's Bryce Metts got the final out for the victory.

Game 2 is slated for 5:30 pm at Midlands Sports Complex. A Game 3, if necessary, will take place following the conclusion of Game 2. The winner will open the state tournament Friday against Sumter Post 15.