"Right now, we ain't hitting."”

Chapin head coach Scott McLeod.

Another strong pitching performance by University of South Carolina commit Cade Austin has Chapin a step closer from clinching the Region 5-5A title.
The 2-0 shutout win over Lexington at home Monday night saw Austin strike out 8 and allow just 3 hits in going the distance. 
"Cade was phenomenal, as usual, so if we can get another pitching performance like that from somebody else, I'll feel good about it," Chapin head coach Scott McLeod said. 
David Cromer was responsible for 2 hits for the Wildcats (9-8, 3-4), who dropped their 4th straight game. Sam Greer drove in both runs for the Eagles. The first was on a fielder's choice in the 2nd and the other 2 innings later on an RBI single.
It was 1 of just 4 hits by the Eagles (11-6, 8-2) off Lexington starter Braison Bourne. While acknowledging the high level of pitching in Class 5A, McLeod remains stressed over a lack of offense which has managed just 6 runs in the last 4 region contests.
"The hitting is a big concern," he said. "Last week, (against River Bluff), we won 2 games. We won 2-1, 1-0 and lost 2-1 and tonight, we won 2-0. But the bats are just not going right now. I'm not sure what it is, but if they ever start coming alive, with our pitching and our defense, we'll be a pretty good team. But right now, we ain't hitting." 
The Eagles can clinch the region with a win Wednesday at Lexington and a River Bluff loss. 

River Bluff 12, White Knoll 1
University of South Carolina commit Ricky Williams drove in 4 runs on 2 hits and struck out in 6 innings to lead the Gators (10-4, 4-3). 
His 2-run single was part of a 5-run rally in the top 1st inning. Noah LeBron had a 2-run single as part of a 4-run rally in the 6th and Micah Arthur also had 2 RBI.
Reign Lybrand accounted for the Timberwolves' lone run in the 1st on a RBI double. Alex Lyon started for White Knoll and allowed 8 runs and 7 hits in 7 innings. 
Game 2 of the 3-game series is set for Wednesday in The Swamp.

Airport 14, Westwood 1
Cam Beckham dorive in 3 runs on 2 hits, Colby Key had 2 RBI and Sam LaFrage had 3 hits to lead the Eagles.
Ryan Sightler struck out 5 and allowed just 3 hits in the win. 
Up next is a crosstown matchup at archrival Brookland-Cayce Tuesday. It's the first of 2 straight meetings between the Lexington County foes. 

Gray Collegiate 8, Midland Valley 7 

SOFTBALL
White Knoll 14, Gray Collegiate 3 (5 innings)
Briannah Workman had 3 hits and and RBI and Andrea Lyon belted a 3-run homer as the defending Class 5A champions remained undefeated on Monday. 
The non-region victory extended the Lady Timberwolves' overall winning streak to 17 dating back to last season. 
Hannah Goodwin, who became the school's all-time RBI leader in Friday's 8-7 win over Lexington, had 2 hits along with Ariana Farr and Shelby Davies. Farr, McKenzie Trimnal and Friday's hero Lexi Winters also drove in a run.
Lea Kindrick pitched 5 innings and struck out 3 for White Knoll (12-0, 5-0). 
Emma Buzhardt had 2 hits and Sarah Quarles had an RBI for the Lady War Eagles (8-5, 7-0).
Gray Collegiate has clinched its region title and plays host to C.A. Johnson Tuesday.  Meanwhile, White Knoll can claim a 3rd consecutive Region 5-5A title with a home win Tuesday versus Chapin.

Gilbert 1, Batesburg-Leesville 0
Jaylah Barr started the game for the Lady Panthers, struck out 6 and allowed 2 hits and a run in 6 2/3 innings. 
Savanna Rossom led the Gilbert to victory on the rubber. She went 6 2/3 innings, allowing 0 hits,  striking out 16 and walking one.

BOYS SOCCER
Spring Valley 3, Lexington 1
The Wildcats (8-6-1, 3-1) return to action Friday at Dutch Fork. 

GIRLS SOCCER

Airport 7, Sumter 0

Courtney Farr and Brooke Still each scored 2 goals and Mary Pipkin, Kaylin Liscusky and Edith Andrade each added a goal for the Lady Eagles. 

Cayleen Hall and Ashley Wojick collaborated on the shutout in goal.