Mays’ career night leads Post 68 to state playoffs

TOM DIDATO/Camden Chronicle-Independent - Manning-Santee Post 68 American Legion baseball pitcher Matt Mays delivers a pitch against Camden Post 17 Sunday night.

Manning-Santee is headed to Charleston.

The Manning-Santee Post 68 American Legion baseball team defeated Camden Post 17, 6-2 Sunday evening in an elimination game to earn a spot in the state playoffs.

To say they played a good game is an understatement, especially for power hitter Heath Smith and pitcher Matt Mays.

Smith drilled a pair of home runs en route to a two-for-three, four RBI outing.

The other big story of the night was right-hand pitcher, Matt Mays.

He started on the mound and threw 8 and 2/3 innings with one walk, five hits, two runs and a career-high, 11 strikeouts.

“Everything was working,” Mays said. “It was a real big game and the defense was behind me.”

Head Coach G.G. Cutter praised Mays for his work.

He said his work off the field has paid dividends and they received the benefits of his practice.

“What can you say about him, he played lights out,” Cutter said. “He pitched a whale of a game –his best game all year. All of his pitches were working. He was able to locate his slider and fastball. He gave us a chance and he had great determination.”

This is the first time Mays has been past the first round in the post season.

He said the excitement is growing and he is looking forward to playing at the state level.

“I hope we do some damage,” he said. “I have high hopes. If everything goes well like hitting, pitching and defense, we will do well.”

Smith was the story of the night at the plate.

He hammered two home runs that set the tone for the game.

The first was in the top of the first and the other came in the third.

Other than that, Manning got four other hits, but because of Mays’ performance, they didn’t need a lot of hits.

“His two home runs gave us confidence,” said Cutter. “He’s been productive all year long. He’s been one of our best hitters.”

Other hitters for Manning were brothers Mike and Jamal Keels, Chris Kellahan and Douglas Ard – each with one.

Manning-Santee wasted almost no time getting on the scoreboard.

Mike Keels led off the top of the first inning and reached first base on an error.

The following two batters drew the first two outs followed by Smith’s first appearance.

Facing a 1-2 count, he blasted a two-run shot over the left field wall for a 2-0 lead.

Kellahan followed but struck out to end the inning.

Camden got nothing going in their half of the inning and it ended with Manning on top 2-0.

The second was a no scoring affair and it was not until the third when Manning scored again.

This time, Jamal Keels drew a walk and Smith propelled the pitch to the same spot, over the left field fence for his second home run of the day.

The shot gave Manning a 4-0 lead.

Mays continued his dominance on the mound and Manning added two insurance runs in the sixth and eighth innings to secure the victory.

With the win, Manning improves its record to 18-13.

They advanced to the state playoffs this weekend.

They will play Easley at Charleston Southern University at Buccaneer Ball Park on Saturday at 9 a.m.