6-2 loss ends Manning-P-15 series; will now face West Ashley

The Manning-Santee Post 68 American Legion baseball team suffered the final blow in a best-of-five series against rival Sumter Friday night in a 6-2 loss.

The game was a close 3-2 score in favor of Sumter late in the game; however the error bug caught up with Manning as they committed three in the final inning that gave the P-15s some extra breathing room.

Manning-Santee had a last chance in the ninth but wasn’t able to make a comeback.

They had men on third base with one out several times but failed to bring them home.

“We should have made contact,” said Manning Head Coach G.G. Cutter. “We had our opportunities.”

They had a rough night at the plate as well.

P-15 pitcher Andreu Reardon threw a complete game and kept Manning to just four hits.

Michael Keels had three and Douglas Ard had the other.

“Reardon threw curve balls for strikes,” said Cutter. “It was a bad night offensively for us.

Manning started Kevin Cox on the mound and he ended the night allowing five runs and seven hits.

The loss ends the series with the P-15s at 1-3; but Manning is still alive.

Manning will play West Ashley today in Manning at 7:30 p.m.

That winner will play Sunday versus Camden for the fourth place spot.

The current top three are Florence, Sumter and Goose Creek.

“We are glad to have an opportunity to play again,” Cutter said.