By Thomas Grant Jr.
Along with providing summer college baseball, the Lexington County Blowfish are a community-oriented organization.
Since arriving in Lexington in 2014, the team has participated in various fund-raising events and is devoted to honoring all military services.
This past weekend saw the Blowfish hold their annual Fort Jackson Night. Hundreds of soldiers from the 193rd Basic Combat Training Brigade packed Lexington County Baseball Stadium as the team’s honored guest.
“We salute our American soldiers, our young men and women who are going to battle for us, if necessary, for our freedom and we can’t forget how important it is that we show our respect and honor to our active military and, of course, retired veterans which we do every night at the ballpark with our ‘Military Family of the Night’,” Blowfish co-owner Bill Shanahan said.
Along with dining out on fast foods denied the past 2-3 months, the soldiers were treated to a close ballgame. The Blowfish defeated the Greenville Yard Gnomes 8-7 in a game decided by an eighth inning RBI double by Alex LaCoste.
The College of Charleston infielder drove in three runs. Spring Valley graduate Jayden Williams and Post 27 alumnus Mac Dawsey each had two RBI for the Blowfish.
During the game, Blowfish presented a $1,000 check to USO Columbia. The funds were raised during the May 30 softball game between Lexington and Richland Couty Sheriff’s Departments held at the stadium.
Just a week ago, the Blowfish raised $11,174 as part of their “Hooties” Night promotion. The bidding for those special red, white and blue jerseys, as well as two signed by the Columbia rock group Hootie and the Blowfish, took place online.
Back over .500
On Monday, the Blowfish held off the Boone Bigfoot 7-6 to improve to 11-10 on the season.
Emory Guilford went 2-3 with 2 RBI and Carter Blakinship had two RBI to lead Lexington County.
The Blowfish will have two home games Friday and Saturday. Following each game, the team will hold its “Fireworks in the Sky” for the fans.
LEXINGTON COUNTY BLOWFISH SCHEDULE
THURSDAY – at Macon 7 p.m.
FRIDAY – MACON 7 p.m.
SATURDAY – GLOWFISH 7:05 p.m.
SUNDAY – at Forest City 7 p.m.
WEDNESDAY – FLORENCE 7:05 p.m.
