Niswonger pitches, hits Laurence Manning to 6-4 victory over Hammond in AAAA baseball playoffs

   Columbia – Josh Niswonger struck out 10 batters and hit a home run to lift Laurence Manning Academy to a 6-4 victory over Hammond in its opening game in the SCISA AAAA baseball state playoffs on Monday at Folsom Field.

    The Swampcats, the bottom seed in the 5-team upper bracket who improved to 9-11 on the season, will travel to Bluffton today for a 6:30 p.m. contest against defending state champion and No. 1 seed Hilton Head Christian Academy in the double-elimination bracket.

    The No. 4 Skyhawks will be on the road on Wednesday in an elimination game against the loser of today’s game between No. 3 John Paul II and No. 2 Augusta Christian School.

    Niswonger recorded his strikeouts over six innings, allowing just three hits and four walks in the process. Only three of the runs were earned.

    Grainger Powell came on to pitch a scoreless seventh to get the save.

    Along with the solo homer, Niswonger had a run-scoring single as well. He was 2-for-4 with two runs batted in and a run scored.

    LMA finished with 12 hits, led by Connor Carter, who was 3-for-4 with three RBI and a run.

    Powell had two hits, while Payton Brown had a hit and two runs, and Zy Dennis had a hit and an RBI. Bryson Pepper had a hit and a run, Pierson Gamble had a double, and Ray Weston had a hit.

    Sam Painter led Hammond offensively, going 2-for-4 with three RBI.

   Ben Lippen 11

    First Baptist 1

    Columbia – Fourth-seeded Ben Lippen School defeated No. 5 First Baptist 11-1 on Monday at the BLS field in the opening game of the lower bracket in the AAAA state playoffs.

    The Falcons, who improved to 12-9, will play at No. 1 seed Pinewood Prep today at 6 p.m. The No. 5 Hurricanes, 15-7, will be on the road on Wednesday against the loser of today’s game between No. 3 Wilson Hall and No. 2 Cardinal Newman.

    Bert Muller picked up the win for Ben Lippen, working all five innings. He struck out seven and didn’t allow an earned run.

    Ty Fajardo led the offense, going 2-for-3 with four RBI.

    AAA

    Florence Christian 6

    Colleton Prep 5

    Florence – Fourth-seeded Florence Christian School defeated No. 5 seed Colleton Prep Academy 6-5 in the opening game of the lower bracket in the AAA state playoffs on Monday at the FCS field.

    The Eagles, who improved to 13-4, will be on the road against No. 1 seed Calhoun Academy today at 6 p.m.

 The War Hawks, who fell to 13-10, will be on the road on Wednesday against the loser of today’s game between No. 3 Pee Dee Academy and No. 2 Greenwood Christian School.

 Spartanburg Christian 10

 Patrick Henry 1

 Spartanburg – No. 4 seed Spartanburg Christian Academy defeated No. 5 Patrick Henry Academy 10-1 in the opening game of the lower bracket in the AAA state playoffs on Monday at the SCA field.

 The Warriors will travel to Kingstree today for a 6:30 p.m. game against No. 1 seed Williamsburg Academy.

 PHA, which fell to 9-10, will be on the road on Wednesday in an elimination game against the loser of today’s game between No. 3 Orangeburg Prep and No. 2 Hilton Head Prep. HHP is the defending state champion, and OP is the defending runner-up.

 Aiden Marshall led Spartanburg Christian, going 2-for-4 with two runs and three RBI. Isaac Gimon was 2-for-2 with three runs, Andrew Hanbridge had two hits, two RBI and a run, Sawyer Hazeres had a hit, two runs and an RBI, and Patrick Hazeres had a double, an RBI and a run.

 Sawyer Hazeres pitched 3 2/3 scoreless innings. Luke Davis allowed the lone run in three innings.

 Jacob Corley, Scoot Mizzell, Caleb Corley and Andrew Haddock each had a hit for the Patriots. Jacob Corley scored the run and Mizzell had an RBI. 

 AA

 Lee Academy 16

 Beaufort Academy 1

 Bishopville – Defending state champion Lee Academy defeated Beaufort Academy 16-1 in three innings in the opening game of their best-of-3 quarterfinal series in the AA state playoffs on Monday at the LA field.

Game 2 is scheduled for today at 4 p.m. in Beaufort.

 The Cavaliers, a No. 1 seeds who improved to 15-6, were led by Myles Frye. He pitched all three innings, striking out seven and allowing just one hit. He also had three hits.

 Cary Privette also had three hits, while Andrew Bowers and Tucker Rogers had two hits apiece.

 Laurens Academy 6

 Andrew Jackson 4

 Ehrhardt – Eighth-grader Wyatt Little and junior Evan Asalone combined to pitch No. 3 seed Laurens Academy to a 6-4 victory over No. 2 Andrew Jackson Academy in the opening game of their series on Monday at the AJA field.

 The second game will be played today in Laurens beginning at 6 p.m.

Little pitched 4 2/3 innings allowing three unearned runs. He struck out eight while allowing three hits and walking three.

Asalone worked 2 1/3 innings to get the save. He struck out two while walking two and allowing two hits and one earned run.

 Riley Whittaker had two hits one a triple, and three RBI while scoring a run to lead the 11-5 Crusaders offensively. Ethan Collins had a hit, an RBI, two runs and drew two walks. Elias Littleton had a hit and scored a run.

 Landon Johnson led the Warriors with two hits. Gage Risher stole two bases.

 Dorchester 7

 Carolina Academy 3

 St. George – No. 1 seed Dorchester Academy beat fourth seed Carolina Academy 7-3 in the opening game of their series on Monday at the DA field.

 Game 2 of the series is scheduled for today at 6 p.m. in Lake City.

 The King’s Academy 5

 Thomas Heyward 1

 Ridgeland – The King’s Academy went on the road and beat Thomas Heyward Academy 5-1 on Monday in the opening game of their series at the THA field.

 The Lions, who improved to 9-10, will try to clinch the series at home today in Florence beginning at 6 p.m.

 CLASS A

  Jefferson Davis 14

 Wardlaw 3

 Blackville – Jefferson Davis Academy scored four runs in the fifth to break open a close game and go on to a 14-3, 6-inning win over Wardlaw Academy in the opening game of their best-of-3 quarterfinal series in the Class A state playoffs on Monday at the JDA field.

 The series will move to Johnston today with the game scheduled to begin at 6 p.m.

 Dalton Nix led the Raiders, who improved to 11-10, with a double and an inside-the-park home run along with three runs and three RBI. Reece Still had two hits, including a double, a run and four RBI.

 Harrison Ray had two hits, three runs and an RBI, Corbin Perry had a hit, a run and four RBI, and Carson Sumner had a double and an RBI. Deklin Grubbs had a hit and two runs, Bryson Livingston had a hit and a run, and Tanner Page scored twice.

Still got the victory on the mound, going the distance. He allowed five hits and one earned run while striking out seven and walking two.

 Sam Coughenour had two hits to lead the Patriots. 

Marlboro Academy 6

Holly Hill Academy 4

Holly Hill – Defending state champion Holly Hill Academy dropped a 6-4 decision to Marlboro Academy in the opening game of their quarterfinal series on Monday at the HHA field.

Game 2 is scheduled for a 4:30 p.m. start on Tuesday.

SCISA BASEBALL STATE PLAYOFFS

AAAA

Double Elimination

Upper Bracket

Monday, April 27

Game 1 – (5) Laurence Manning 6, (4) Hammond 4

Tuesday, April 28

Game 2 – (3) John Paul II at (2) Augusta Christian,6 p.m.

Game 3 – (5) Laurence Manning at (1) Hilton Head Christian, 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday, April 29

Game 4 – (4) Hammond at Game 2 Loser

Thursday, April 30

Game 5 – Game 3 Loser vs. Game 4 Winner

Game 6 – Game 2 Winner vs. Game 3 Winner

Monday, May 4

Game 7 – Game 5 Winner at Game 6 Loser

Wednesday, May 6

Game 8 – Game 7 Winner at Game 6 Winner

Thursday, May 7

Game 9 – If Necessary

Lower Bracket

Monday, April 27

Game 1 – (4) Ben Lippen 11, (5) First Baptist 1

Tuesday, April 28

Game 2 – (3) Wilson Hall at (2) Cardinal Newman, 6 p.m.

Game 3 – (4) Ben Lippen at (1) Pinewood Prep, 6 p.m.

Wednesday, April 29

Game 4 – (5) First Baptist at Game 2 Loser

Thursday, April 30

Game 5 – Game 3 Loser vs. Game 4 Winner

Game 6 – Game 2 Winner vs. Game 3 Winner

Monday, May 4

Game 7 – Game 5 Winner at Game 6 Loser

Wednesday, May 6

Game 8 – Game 7 Winner at Game 6 Winner

Thursday, May 7

Game 9 – If Necessary

Championship Series

Best-of-3

Upper Bracket Winner vs. Lower Bracket Winner

Game 1 – Monday, May 11

Game 2 – Tuesday, May 12

Game 3 – Thursday, May 14 (if necessary)

AAA

Double Elimination

Upper Bracket

Monday, April 27

Game 1 – (4) Florence Christian 6, (5) Colleton Prep 5

Tuesday, April 28

Game 2 – (3) Pee Dee at (2) Greenwood Christian, 6 p.m.

Game 3 – (4) Florence Christian at (1) Calhoun Academy, 6 p.m.

Wednesday, April 29

Game 4 – (5) Colleton Prep at Game 2 Loser

Thursday, April 30

Game 5 – Game 3 Loser vs. Game 4 Winner

Game 6 – Game 2 Winner vs. Game 3 Winner

Monday, May 4

Game 7 – Game 5 Winner at Game 6 Loser

Wednesday, May 6

Game 8 – Game 7 Winner at Game 6 Winner

Thursday, May 7

Game 9 – If Necessary

Lower Bracket

Monday, April 27

Game 1 – (4) Spartanburg Christian 10, (5) Patrick Henry 1

Tuesday, April 28

Game 2 – (3) Orangeburg Prep at (2) Hilton Head Prep, 4 p.m.

Game 3 – (4) Spartanburg Christian at (1) Williamsburg, 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday, April 29

Game 4 – (5) Patrick Henry at Game 2 Loser

Thursday, April 30

Game 5 – Game 3 Loser vs. Game 4 Winner

Game 6 – Game 2 Winner vs. Game 3 Winner

Monday, May 4

Game 7 – Game 5 Winner at Game 6 Loser

Wednesday, May 6

Game 8 – Game 7 Winner at Game 6 Winner

Thursday, May 7

Game 9 – If Necessary

Championship Series

Best-of-3

Upper Bracket Winner vs. Lower Bracket Winner

Game 1 – Monday, May 11

Game 2 – Tuesday, May 12

Game 3 – Thursday, May 14 (if necessary)

AA

Quarterfinals

Best-of-3

Series 1

(1)  Lee Academy vs. (4) Beaufort Academy

Monday, April 27

Game 1 – Lee Academy 16, Beaufort Academy 1 (3 innings) (Lee Academy leads series 1-0)

Tuesday, April 28

Game 2 – Lee Academy at Beaufort Academy, 4 p.m.

Thursday, April 30

Game 3 – Breaufort Academy at Lee Academy, 6:30 p.m. (If necessary)

Series 2

(2)  Thomas Heyward vs. (3) The King’s Academy

Monday, April 27

Game 1 – The King’s Academy 5, Thomas Heyward 1 (The King’s Academy leads series 1-0)

Tuesday, April 28

Game 2 – Thomas Heyward at The King’s Academy, 6 p.m.

Thursday, April 30

Game 3 – The King’s Academy at Thomas Heyward (If necessary), 6 p.m.

Series 3

(1)  Dorchester vs. (4) Carolina Academy

Monday, April 27

Game 1 – Dorchester 7, Carolina Academy 3 (Dorchester leads series 1-0)

Tuesday, April 28

Game 2 – Dorchester at Carolina Academy, 6 p.m.

Thursday, April 30

Game 3 – Carolina Academyy at Dorchester, 6 p.m. (If necessary)

Series 4

(2)  Andrew Jackson vs. (3) Laurens Academy

Monday, April 27

Game 1 – Laurens Academy 6, Andrew Jackson 4 (Laurens Academy leads series 1-0)

Tuesday, April 28

Game 2 – Andrew Jackson at Laurens Academy, 6 p.m.

Thursday, April 30

Game 3 – Laurens Academy at Andrew Jackson 6 p.m. (If necessary)

Semifinals

Best-of-3

Series 5

Series 1 winner vs. Series 2 winner

Series 6

Series 3 winner vs. Series 4 winner

Monday, May 4

Game 1 – at higher seed

Tuesday, May 5

Game 2 – at lower seed

Thursday, May 7

Game 3 – at higher seed (if necessary)

State Championship Series

Best-of-3

Semifinal Winners

Monday, May 11

Game 1 – at Series 6 winner

Tuesday, May 12

Game 2 – at Series 5 Winner

Thursday, May 14

Game 3 – at neutral site (if necessary)

Class A

Quarterfinals

Best-of-3

Series 1

(2) Holly Hill Academy vs. (3) Marlboro Academy

Monday, April 27

Game 1 – Marlboro Academy 6, Holly Hill Academy 4 (Marlboro Academy leads series 1-0)

Tuesday, April 28

Game 2 – Holly Hill Academy at Marlboro Academy,4:30 p.m.

Thursday, April 30

Game 3 – Marlboro Academy at Holly Hill Academy (If necessary)

Series 2

(2) Jefferson Davis vs. (3) Wardlaw

Monday, April 27

Game 1 – Jefferson Davis 14, Wardlaw 3

Tuesday, April 28

Game 2 – Jefferson Davis at Wardlaw, 6 p.m.

Thursday, April 30

Game 3 – Wardlaw at Jefferson Davis, 6 p.m. (If necessary)

Semifinals

Best-of-3

Series 3

(1) Richard Winn vs. Series 1 Winner

Monday, May 4

Game 1 – at Richard Winn

Tuesday, May 5

Game 2 – at Series 1 Winner

Thursday, May 7

Game 3 – at Richard Winn (if necessary)

Series 4

(1) W.W. King vs. Series 2 Winner

Monday, May 4

Game 1 – at W.W. King

Tuesday, May 5

Game 2 – at Series 2 Winner

Thursday, May 7

Game 3 – at W.W. King (if necessary)

State Championship Series

Best-of-3

Semifinal Winners

Monday, May 11

Game 1 – at Series 4 winner

Tuesday, May 12

Game 2 – at Series 3 Winner

Thursday, May 14

Game 3 – at neutral site (if necessary)