By CT McDonald
While varsity softball and baseball championship tournaments are still to be determined, some local area teams recently completed their seasons with losses deep in the playoffs.
The 2019 Class 5A varsity baseball state champion Silver Foxes played to the Lower State District 3 title game without a loss in the playoffs. Dutch Fork needed to win one game against Berkeley to win District 3 and advance to the lower state tournament.
But the Berkeley Stags pulled out two wins against Dutch Fork to win the Lower District 3 title and advance to the lower state tournament against Summerville. It was 6-5 and 11-7 for the Berkeley wins to eliminate the Silver Foxes from the double elimination playoffs.
Dutch Fork completed the season as the Region 5-5A champion at 19-6 overall and 9-2 in the region, as well as being a lower state district title contender.
Also in 5A playoff competition in the area, Lexington’s varsity softball team advanced to their Lower State District 3 title game needing to win two games against Berkeley softball, but pulled out one win 6-5 before the Lady Stags won the second game 7-5 to win the district title.
Likewise, Airport’s varsity baseball team played to their 4A Lower State District 3 title game needing to win two games against James Island, but the Eagles came up one game short of the goal. Airport won the first game 2-0, but lost the second one 8-0 giving James Island the district victory and a shot at the 4A lower state baseball tournament.
Gilbert’s 3A varsity softball team also played to their Lower District 3 title game undefeated and needing to win just one game to advance to the lower state tournament. But that did not happen.
The Lady Indians lost two games (3-0, 9-8) to Dillon, giving the Dillon team the district title and a run in the lower state tournament.
ut Gilbert’s varsity baseball team defeated Aynor 12-5 in their lower state district title game to advance to the 3A lower state tournament against Strom Thurmond.
The Indians kicked-off the lower state tournament early this week with an 8-2 win against Strom Thurmond at home with game two set for Wednesday on the road.
Baseball and softball state tournaments will follow the upper and lower state competition, and summer sports activities will follow that.
