Manning Post 68 is still alive in state playoffs

The Manning-Santee Post 68 American Legion baseball team split its first two games in state playoffs.

On Saturday, Post 68 played Easley Post 62 and came away with an 11-9 victory.

Tied 9-9 in the ninth inning, the play of the game was a squeeze play.

Jack Martin was up to bat and he bunted, allowing Justin Powell to score from third giving Manning the go-ahead score.

“That was picture perfect,” said Head Coach G.G. Cutter.

Michael Keels later scored to put Manning up by two.

Easley came to bat in the bottom of the inning but had mustered no runs.

Manning was the number four seed and Easley was the number one. Cutter said a sliver of over confidence may have contributed to Easley’s loss and the way Manning defeated them.

“They think they can go with their number two or three (pitcher) and beat us,” he said. “Our boys just battled.”

Manning was the visiting team and hit the plate first but it took them until the second inning to dent the scoreboard.

Shuler Ward advanced to third base and then scored on a Michael Keels single for a 1-0 lead.

The teams began figuring each other out and it became a slugfest throughout the rest of the way until Martin and Powell’s heroic play.

Manning had one bad inning where they allowed four runs in the third.

Other than that, they handled Post 52 and came out on top.

“If we stay out of those bad innings, we can play with anybody,” Cutter said. “We got some clutch hits and I was proud of the way they came through.”

Pitcher Zan Beasley started on the mound and threw six full innings allowing six runs, seven hits, four strikeout and three walks.

Michael Keels was the leading batter as he went three-for-six with two runs and an RBI.

Martin went three-for-five with two runs, Smith went two-for-five with a run and Powell went three-for-four with three runs.

Jamal Keels, Douglas Ard and Corey Brown also had hits during the game.

On Sunday, Manning faced rival Sumter and fell to the P-15s 13-9.

The game was a sluggish affair for Manning.

They allowed five runs in the first inning and four in the seventh that allowed the P-15s to take the win.

Trailing 9-2, Manning came into the top of the seventh determined to make it a game.

They scored seven runs to tie the score at 9-9 but that it as close as they got.

Sumter added four more runs including a three-run home run by Andreau Reardon to propel Sumter to the win.

“That’s how it’s been going all year long with us and Sumter,” said Cutter. “We just can’t seem to stay out of the big innings. We didn’t play like we had our heads in the game. It was a good game until about the seventh inning. We just couldn’t seem to hold them.”

Kevin Cox started on the mound and threw four innings.

He allowed six runs, three hits, three walks and two strikeouts.

He struggled at the beginning but once he settled in, he slowed Sumter down.

Heath Smith and Corey Brown each had two hits for Manning-Santee.

Michael Keels, Jamal Keels, Justin Powell, Shuler Ward and Zach Graham all had hits during the game.

Following the loss, Manning-Santee played Monday against Goose Creek.

They won 6-2 and advanced to the fourth round of the state playoffs.

Manning will play the winners of one of Monday’s match between four Round Three teams on Tuesday at 4 p.m.

Please check www.clarendoncitizen.com for updates.