Larry Hewett/Clarendon Citizen - Manning-Santee’s Douglas Ard slides safely into second in Post 68’s loss to Darlington on May 31, 12-8.
Manning-Santee improves record to 4-2
Manning-Santee with two great defensive outings held their opponents scoreless last week upping their season record to 4-2.
“It was a pretty good week for us,” Manning-Santee Head Coach G.G. Cutter said Friday afternoon after practice. “We had two big wins especially the win against Sumter. They were honoring former (Sumter Head Coach) Wallie Jones. That was big for us.”
Manning-Santee - 6/Sumter - 0
On the night the P-15’s chose to honor their former Head Coach Wallie Jones, Manning-Santee held the team scoreless with great pitching from Zach Graham on June 5, in Sumter, 6-0.
Graham picked up the win giving up just six hits in nine innings. He struck out three and walked three.
Manning-Santee got on the board in the top of the third.
Mark Pipkin led off the inning with a walk. John T. Eppley sacrificed Pipkin to second. Rashad Hilton had a base hit and a fielder’s choice by Jack Martin scored Pipkin. Chris Kellahan singled in the other two runs.
Manning-Santee scored the other six runs in the top of the eighth.
Kellahan got the inning started with a base hit and then stole second. Corey Brown reached on a passed ball error. Shuler Ward hit a double that brought in Kellahan and Brown. Ward scored on the second passed ball error of the inning.
Kellahan, Post 68’s leading hitter, had three hits, followed by Ward with two hits.
“We had a great defense throughout the game,” said Cutter. “It was a complete game by everyone. We kept them off balance and off the bases.”
Manning-Santee - 5/Hartsville - 0
Another stellar performance on the mound by a Manning-Santee pitcher stymied Hartsville while Post 68 had a good night with the bats defeating Hartsville on June 7, in Hartsville, 5-0.
Justin McArthur pitched nine complete innings with six strikeouts and two walks.
“He had his fastball and curve working,” said Cutter. “Our defense played well. They had players on first and second with one out in the bottom of the eighth. We were on top 2-0. Eppley and Martin turned a great double play to end the inning.”
Manning-Santee put their first runs on the board in the top of the third.
Eppley started the inning off with a base hit. Graham followed with a base hit. Martin moved both players over with a sacrifice. Kellahan hit a ground ball that scored Eppley and moved Graham to third. Graham scored the last run of the inning, putting Post 68 up, 2-0.
Manning-Santee put the finishing touches on Hartsville in the top of the ninth, scoring three security runs.
With two outs, Pipkin, Eppley and Graham hit back-to-back singles with Graham bringing in Pipkin. Two errors by Hartsville results in two more runs.
Graham finished the game going 2 for 5, while Eppley went 2 for 3.
Manning-Santee has a big week on tap for June 12-15 with four games in four days.
Post 68’s game against Darlington that was scheduled for June 11 has been moved to June 18 in Darlington. On June 12, M-S takes on Cheraw at home in a doubleheader. On June 13, M-S faces Darlington at 7:30 p.m. at home in a single game. Post 68 is idle June 14 before facing Sumter at home at 7:30 p.m. on June 15.
“On Friday night, we’re bringing back the 2002 team that won Manning’s first state championship,” Cutter said. “That will be a special night.”
