Lexington, River Bluff Stay Perfect in Naturchem Invitational

Archrivals Lexington and River Bluff are a win away from a third straight Naturchem Invitational final meeting.

Both the Wildcats and Gators improved to 2-0 in the tournament following home victories Friday afternoon. Should Lexington defeat Eastside and River Bluff beat Dorman, the two teams will meet again at 5 p.m. for the title at a site to be announced later today.

The two teams have split those meetings with Lexington winning in 2020 and River Bluff last season.

River Bluff 10, Brookland-Cayce 6 (5 innings)

On a sun-soaked Friday afternoon, River Bluff erupted for 7 runs in the 4th inning and held on to defeat Brookland-Cayce in The Swamp.

"It does us a lot of good to play good teams," River Bluff baseball coach Mark Bonnette said. "We need to be challenged early. B-C is good. It’s a team with a lot of talent. This was an early test."

He also said the fact the Class 3A Cayce-based school is a local team helped intensify the atmosphere around the game.

Class 5A River Bluff scored a run in the top of the first inning after a leadoff single from Tommy Powell followed by a double from Walker Mitchell.

Brookland-Cayce starting pitcher Sylar King opened the bottom of the 1st with a single. He scored after Parker Mergo bunt was misplayed for an error in the bottom of the first inning.

The Gators scored 2 runs in the third inning on a Weston Grant RBI single. They then erupted for seven runs in the top of the fourth inning.

The rally started after Walker Mitchell drew a walk. Preston Sutton then reached base on an error and Todd Hudson was hit by a pitch to load the bases.

Beau Hollins drew a walk to score a run and River Bluff hit five consecutive RBI singles off King and reliever Jordan Gibbs for six runs to go up 10-1.

In the bottom of the 4th, B.J. Etheridge singled for the Bearcats, Brandon Kestner walked and Kamden Sox reached base on an error to load the bases. 

King then singled home Etheredge, Mergo hit a two-run double and later scored on an error to make it 10-5.

In the bottom of the fifth, Etheridge scored on an error to close out the scoring.

Zach Cowart was the winning pitcher and Skylar King took the loss. 

Lexington 8, Mauldin 4 (6 innings)

Mauldin took a 2-0 lead off starter Leighton Bost in the bottom 2^nd. Lexington answered back in the top of the 3^rd with a game-tying 2-run triple by Landon Knight.

The Mavericks regained the lead at 3-2 in the bottom of the third after an RBI hit by pitch. The Wildcats responded with five unanswered runs over the next three innings starting with two runs in the fourth as Nathan Hall scored on an error and an RBI walk by Caleb Long.

For the second straight night, Anthony Plotkin had an RBI triple. This time, he sent the bases-clearing hit to rightfield to score Knight and later scored on a sacrifice bunt by Ian Miller.

Knight had an RBI single in the top of the fifth inning to make it 8-3. Mauldin scored a run in the bottom of the sixth off an error.

Jake Smith picked up the victory for the Wildcats after striking out two in three scoreless innings of relief.

Eastside 17, Bishop England 6          

Wren 10, Dorman 2

Other Friday Games

Gray Collegiate 2, North Augusta 1

Raymond Jones’ walkoff RBI single gave the War Eagles the championship at the Peach Ridge Invitational title.

The game-winning rally started after Gavid Creede drew a leadoff walk and J.T. Edwards was hit by a pitch. Jones then singled to centerfield to score Creede for the title.

Gray Collegiate (4-0) took a 1-0 lead on a RBI sacrifice bunt by Gavin Creede. The Yellow Jackets tied the game in the top seventh on an RBI single by Zack Hardy.

Brent Stukes struck out 12 in 5 2/2 innings for the no decision. Peyton Starkey struck out three in 1 1/3 innings for the victory.

Softball

Lexington 6, Dorman 2

Jessica Senn had a two-run homer and Sam Craig went 3-3 with an RBI to lead the Lady Wildcats at the Varsity Blues Invitational.

Sarah Gordon and Peri Rouillard both had two hits and an RBI and Riley Ford had two strikeouts to pick up the victory for Lexington.

Lexington will play host to Aiken at 9:40 a.m. and Lugoff-Elgin at 1 p.m.