The Airport baseball team began its quest for a second straight Class 4A title berth Tuesday, this time in the Lower State.
The Eagles opened with a 6-0 shutout win over visiting Darlington. 
A pitcher’s duel began early and continued for the better part of 3 innings. 
Airport finally broke through when Dalton Mims took a 2-0 fastball over the left field wall for a solo home-run to give the Eagles a 1-0 lead. 
The Eagles loaded in the same inning and Colby Key worked an RBI walk to bring the lead to 2-0.
“We’ve been preaching to hunt fastballs,” Coach Tim Perry said after the game. “And to our credit we had some good swings early, they just made some plays defensively.”
Parker Whittle got the start for the Eagles on the mound and went the distance. Whittle totaled 8 strikeouts over his 7 innings of work, shutting out Darlington on 84 pitches.
“We’re playing with confidence defensively,” Perry answered when I asked about Whittle’s confidence in his infield. “It was great to see Cam Beckham come and get some ground balls, the double play started by (John Alan) Forrester were big plays for us defensively. 
The Eagles added to their lead in the latter innings led by Dalton Mims with 2 RBI.
Airport returns to action on Thursday at home against archrival Brookland-Cayce. The Bearcats upset top-seed Beaufort 1-0 on the road behind a complete game shutout by Adam Krissenger. 

TUESDAY'S S.C. HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE BASEBALL PLAYOFF RESULTS

Dutch Fork 10, South Florence 1
Bryan Helms drove in 3 runs and Hugh Ryan had 3 hits and 2 RBI to lead the Silver Foxes to the 1st round road win. 
Doug Webb struck out 7 and allowed just 2 hits to pick up the victory. 
Dutch Fork will travel to Fort Dorchester on Thursday. The Patriots defeated Wando 4-3 in 9 innings. 

St. James 11, Lexington 2
Tristan Allen and Chase Lemacks managed 2 hits each, but the Wildcats gave up an early 2-0 lead and fell to the Sharks in the 1st round matchup.
Braison Bourne had 5 strikeouts, but the Wildcat relievers gave up 7 runs in the final 2 innings.
Lexington travels to Stratford Thursday for an elimination game. 

River Bluff 4, West Florence 0 
Clemson University signee Ricky Williams struck out 8 and allowed just 2 hits and Cameron Ferrell had 3 hits and a a 2-run homer to lead the Gators on Tuesday.
River Bluff (18-5) will head to Berkeley for a winner's bracket matchup on Thursday. 

Gilbert 5, Hanahan 0 
Ashby Vining drove in 3 runs and Joey Parker threw a complete game shutout as the Indians opened the Class 3A playoffs with a road victory.
Gilbert (16-7) will next travel to Cheraw on Thursday.

Pelion 1, Georgetown 0 
The Panthers will play host to Wade Hampton on Thursday in the winner's bracket Class 2A contest. 

Gray Collegiate 19, Andrews 0 (3 innings)
The Region 3-2A champion War Eagles will play host to Latta Thursday.

Southside Christian 3, Batesburg-Leesville 2
The Panthers will play host to C.A. Johnson in a Class 2A elimination game Thursday. 

GIRLS SOCCER
River Bluff 3, White Knoll 1 
Maddie Poole had 2 assists and Nicolle Malpartida, Sophia Monsma and Rylie Addis scored goals as the undefeated and nationally-ranked Lady Gators completed an undefeated season in Region 5-5A.
River Bluff (18-0-1, 8-0) will now look to complete an undefeated regular season for the first time in school history at 5 p.m. Thursdayu against Cardinal Newman. 
Despite the loss, the Lady Timberwolves (16-5-1, 4-3) will still finish in 2nd place in Region 5-5A. They close out the regular season Thursday at Dutch Fork. 

Airport 3, Brookland-Cayce 0

Mary Pipkin scored twice and Courtney Farr added a goal for the Lady Eagles on Tuesday.

Goalkeeper Ashley Wojick was credited with the shutout.

Lexington 2, Dreher 1
Trinity Broach scored twice to lead the Lady Wildcats to a non-region victory over the Lady Blue Devils.
Lexington closes out the regular season at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at home against Gilbert.
 

BOYS SOCCER

Batesburg-Leesville 5, White Knoll 1
Four Panther seniors were honored before the match including Jaewan Williams, Lane Janney, James Barr and Jahntrell Jones. Another senior, Wayman Gilliam was unable to attend the match. 
The team then went on to victory thanks to singles match wins by Reece Rawls, Daniel Miranda, Darius Dennis and Jaewan Williams. Lane Janney and James Barr added a victory in doubles.
The Panthers will finish their regular season Thursday at White Knoll High School.

Lexington