Down 7-0 in the Bottom 2nd Thursday, the Lexington High School baseball team could have folded Thursday night at Segra Park.

A.C. Flora was the Wildcats’ 3rd straight ranked non-region foe. A loss would not have damaged their post-season hopes as compared to upcoming Region 5-5A games the next 3 weeks against Dutch Fork, Chapin and River Bluff.

Instead, Lexington dominated the final 7 innings to pull away for a 11-7 victory over the Falcons. Seth Altenberg drove in 3 runs and Tristan Allen and Landon McMahan both had 2 RBI to lead the Wildcats in the comeback victory.

“This is our off-week from region play, but we scheduled tough,” Lexington head coach Brian Hucks said. “We played the number 3 team in (Class) 4A in Camden on Monday, played the number 1 team in SCISA (Cardinal Newman) on Wednesday and we played the number 1 ranked team in (Class) 4A tonight and we went 3-0 this week. So, really proud of our group.

“We showed some toughness to get down 7 runs against probably one of the best teams in South Carolina and they just kept plugging, kept battling and overcame a lot of things. So, I’m really proud of those guys.”

After A.C. Flora took a 1-0 lead in the 1st, it scored 6 runs off pitchers Elijah Ogden and Jonny Power in the 2nd inning.

The Wildcats then began its comeback in the bottom half of the inning. Landon McMahon belted a 1-out, 2-run double and later scored on Altenberg’s single to cut the Falcons’ lead to 7-3.

In the 3th, Blake Knight reached base on a single, advanced to second on another base hit and scored on an error. A passed ball brought home another run and the Wildcats loaded the bases.

Tristan Allen was hit by a pitch and an RBI walk drawn by Altenberg tied the game at 7-7.

The 4th inning saw Tyde Cooper draw a leadoff walk, advance to 2nd on a fielder’s choice and scored the go-ahead run on David Cromer’s RBI single.

Cal Herndon silenced the A.C. Flora’s bats, striking out 5 and allowing just 2 hits over 3 ⅔ innings.

Lexington added 3 runs in the Bottom 6th to cap the 11-0 scoring run. Knight then escaped a 2-out 6 threat in the Top 7th to earn the save.

The Wildcats return to action Monday at home against Dutch Fork.

Gilbert 4, Airport 2

For the 2nd time this season, the Indians upended the Eagles in non-region play.

Gilbert took a 3-0 lead in the Bottom 1st, added a run in the 3rd and held Airport scoreless over the final 4 innings.

Gray Collegiate 6, Saluda 3

Batesburg-Leesville 6, Strom Thurmond 1

SOFTBALL

Dutch Fork 20, Irmo 5

Carolyn Lusk and Morgan Scott both belted 2 home runs and drove in 5 RBI each as the Lady Silver Foxes won in 6 innings.

At least 9 of the 11 batters for Dutch Fork drove in a run and Lusk struck out 6 to pick up the victory.

Julie Hilliard drove in 2 runs and she and Precious Bross each had 2 RBI for Irmo.

GIRLS SOCCER

Oakbrook Prep 5, Gilbert 1

Kaylee Barnes accounted for the lone goal by the Lady Indians, who got 21 saves from Banner McNatt against the defending SCISA Class 2A champions.

Gilbert plays host to Swansea Friday.

Airport 11, Batesburg-Leesville 0

Courtney Farr and Mary Pipkin each posted 3 goals, Kaylin Liscusky added 2 and Natalie Bradwell, Gracie Sightler and Taylor Davis each scored for the Lady Eagles.

BOYS TENNIS

River Bluff 6, White Knoll 0

Albert Zhu won his 90th career match and the Gators improved to 5-2 overall, 2-1 in Region 5-5A.

Lexington 5, Chapin 1

The Wildcats improved to 8-1 overall, 3-0 in Region 5-5A.

(SINGLES)

Patrick Cronin (Lex) def. Nathan Burton 6-2, 6-0

Zack Howard (Lex) def. Colin Creighton 6-0, 6-4

Hampton Cope (Lex) def. David Abdulrahmau 6-2, 6-2

Daniel Mahoney (Lex) def. Ashton Black 6-2, 1-6, 10-4

Brandon Kolb (Cha) def. Connor Hewson  6-1, 6-4

(DOUBLES)

Rajit Jain/ Alex Fellers(Lex) def.  Colby Creighton, David Zeihl 2-6, 7-5, 10-5