Baseball, softball teams look toward postseason
By R.G. Greene
rgreene@gtowntimes.com
The high school baseball and softball seasons are winding down with the playoffs due to start next Thursday.
The following is a look at who's in from Georgetown County and what has to happen over the season's final games for other area squads to make the postseason.
Baseball
Win and they are in
Andrews (7-9, 4-5 Region 7-AA) and Carvers Bay (6-7, 5-5 Region 8-A) need wins in their final conference games tonight to reach the postseason.
Andrews will host Manning and Carvers Bay will travel to Latta.
"It all comes down to one game," said Andrews coach Roland Clemons, whose team dropped a 3-2 decision to Manning earlier in the year. "Our players understand what is at stake. We have to be at our best and put everything on the line."
Said Carvers Bay coach Will Tanner, "For us and Latta it is a must win. The winner gets to keep playing and the losing team has to go home."
Waccamaw
After turning around some early season struggles, the Warriors (11-8, 6-4 Region 7-AA) have been on a roll, winning six of seven games during a stretch that concluded with Monday's come from behind win over Timberland - Waccamaw trailed 9-3 after three innings and 15-9 headed into the bottom of the seventh.
The victory clinched second place in the conference for the Warriors and they will begin the playoffs at home.
"The Timberland win just tells you how things have been going for us as of late," said Waccamaw coach Jeff Gregory. "We've been playing our best baseball of the season and having fun. We were able to get past the problems we were having earlier and earned the right to start the playoffs on our home field.
Georgetown
It will be a two-step process for the Bulldogs (8-12, 2-6 Region 7-AAA) to reach the postseason.
Georgetown must win its remaining two conference games - at Lake City tonight and home against Socastee on Monday - then get some help to reach the postseason.
"I've really appreciated the effort our team has given throughout the entire season," Georgetown coach Mike Johnson said. "This team has never quit. That is the approach that we will continue to have."
Softball
Waccamaw
The Warriors (23-1, 10-0 Region 7-AA) have had the conference title wrapped up for several weeks. Up to second in the latest Class AA rankings, Waccamaw will close the season on Monday at home against Georgetown and will host an opening-round playoff game.
Georgetown
The Bulldogs (10-4, 7-3 Region 7-AAA) swept a double-header at Lake City on Wednesday to secure second place in the conference and earn the right to be on their home field for the start of the postseason.
"Getting a home playoff game was one of our goals," Georgetown coach Al Hutchinson said.
"There is a lot of confidence on our team. We feel like our best games our still in front of us."
Carvers Bay
Coach Rory Owens' team travels to Latta tonight, where a win would mean the third seed from Region 8-A. To move in front of the Bears (12-9, 5-4 Region 8-A), Latta would need to win tonight's game by more than three runs.
Andrews
With its 3-2 win over Manning on Monday, Andrews (8-9, 6-4 Region 7-AA) clinched third place in the conference and will start the postseason on the road.
"We've made a lot of improvements since the start of the season," Andrews coach Meagan Johnson said. "I feel good about where we are as a team. We're excited to have the opportunity to be in the playoffs and keep our year going."
Girls Soccer
Waccamaw 5, Summerville 0 - Taylor Player scored three goals and Chandler Murphy had two to lead the Warriors (11-1) on Wednesday.
Golf
Andrews 156, Manning 176, Timberland 233 - Walt Poston and J.R. Tisdale each shot 37 to lead the Yellow Jackets to the win at Cherry Hill.
Dustin Wilson and Brandon Morris each added a 41 for Andrews.
The 'Jackets closed the regular season with a record of 12-1, their best team mark since 1973.
Myrtle Beach 163, Georgetown 218 - Bo Keel earned medalist honors for Myrtle Beach at the Dunes Club shooting an even par 36.
Keller Smith shot a 49 to pace Georgetown.