Manning-Santee Post 68 falls 9-8 to Sumter

The Manning-Santee Post 68 American Legion baseball team suffered its fifth loss, and its third to Sumter, in a 9-8 decision, Thursday night.

Manning-Santee’s Mike Keels sent the game’s opening pitch to deep left center for a double and later scored for a quick 1-0 lead.

That score remained until the bottom of the fourth when the P-15s scored four runs to take a 4-1 advantage.

The teams began to exchange runs and the lead until the eighth inning.

Tied at 8-8, Sumter’s J. Tyler Smith hit a pitch to deep center field where it looked like Manning’s Jamal Keels made a diving catch for the final out.

However, it was ruled a no catch by the home plate umpire and Smith ended up with an in-the-park home run that sent Sumter up by one.

Manning tried to answer in the ninth but was denied and was sent packing with the one-run loss.

Corey Brown was the starting pitcher and threw seven innings with four strikeouts, no walks, 11 hits and eight runs.

Mike Keels was the leading hitter with three.

Jack Martin, Jamal Keels, Heath Smith, Rashad Murphy, Justin Powell and Zack Graham all had hits on the night.

Manning fell to 6-5 overall and their next game will be tonight at Dalzell at 7:30 p.m.