By Chris Sokoloski

csokoloski@gtowntimes.com

The rivalry between American Legion Post 114 in Georgetown and Post 178 in Murrells Inlet took a strange turn last week, during a game that featured five hit batters, two ejected pitchers, one ejected coach, and three obscene gestures.

After Murrells Inlet pitchers Roddy Cross and Joey Troiano hit three Georgetown batters, the home plate umpire warned both coaches that he would eject them, and any pitcher who hit a batter, from that point on.

Carl Buddin and Carlos Fernandez then hit two more Georgetown batters, and they, and coach Steven Cosentino, were ejected.

On his way off the field, Fernandez, a Socastee High School student, made three obscene gestures.

Cosentino didn't see Fernandez make the gestures so he couldn't comment. But he was angry that Buddin, who is coming off Tommy John surgery, was not given more time to get ready when he came into the game. Buddin was given eight pitches to warm up.

Both Cosentino, and Georgetown coach Jeff Gregory, thought the umpires overreacted.

"I didn't understand it," Cosentino said. "It's not like it was a heated game between the teams. It's not like people were going back and forth and hitting each other."

"I disagree with that rule," Gregory said. "To punish another team that hadn't hit anybody is wrong."

In the end Georgetown won 3-2.

"We were very fortunate to get a win there," Gregory said. "We squandered too many opportunities."

Georgetown managed only three hits and stranded eight runners in scoring position.

Andrews High graduate Mason Brett went 1-for-2 with one walk and one RBI. He was also hit by pitches twice. Tyler Ward and Richard Archer had Georgetown's other hits.

Patrick Ward of Andrews gave up five hits and two run (one earned) and struck out one in four innings. Waccamaw's Travis Shelley gave up four hits and struck out five in five innings to pick up the win.