After blasting Manning, 25-6 on Tuesday night, it might be expected that the Marlboro County High baseball team would have an easy time in the rematch Friday.
However, that was not the case, as the Bulldogs had to come from behind in the seventh to pull out a 4-3 victory.
Right after the game concluded, the teams had a brief altercation that involved some punches being thrown. The Bulldogs are now at the mercy of the South Carolina High School League, which will make a ruling on any suspensions.
Marlboro entered the bottom of the seventh down 3-2. Tristan Hunt led off with a single and later moved to second on a steal.
A ground ball single by Jesse Williams drove in Hunt to tie the game. After stealing second, Williams scored the winning run on a single to right field by fellow senior Levi Radford.
Manning took the early lead, using a couple of singles to score one run.
The Bulldogs loaded the bases in the bottom of the first but failed to score.
Marlboro tied the game in the second. Tanner Cheek reached first on a fielder’s choice. After stealing second, he scored on a single by Adam Nolan.
In the bottom of the fifth, the Bulldogs had an opportunity to blow the game open. Three consecutive singles by Michael Norris, Williams and Radford gave Marlboro a 2-1 lead with runners on second and third with one out.
However, back-to-back strikeouts let the Monarchs off the hook.
Manning took the lead in the top of the seventh, scoring twice. After an error and single, a Monarch runner was successful in stealing home. A single moments later gave the visitors the lead, setting up Marlboro’s dramatic comeback.
Radford finished 2 for 3 with 2 RBIs. Williams was 2 for 3 with an RBI and a run scored. Nolan was 2 for 4 with an RBI. In all, the Bulldogs outhit their guests, 9-7.
Williams started and pitched the first three innings, striking out 2 while allowing five hits and a walk. Michael Norris completed the game, striking out five, while allowing just 2 hits. Norris was credited with the win.
Immediately after Radford’s hit drove in the winning run, the rest of the Bulldogs charged onto the field to celebrate.
“They dogpiled on Levi between first and second base. During that celebration, as the Manning players were walking off the field, somebody said something. It resulted in first some pushing and shoving but some punches were thrown,” said MCHS head coach Ryan Pierce.
“The officials were still on the field and ruled that both teams were suspended until an investigation by the High School League,” said Pierce.
The coach has viewed a video shot by someone on the Manning side. Pierce said that it does not clearly show which players were most involved.
Unfortunately, Marlboro County has not had much success when dealing with the High School League office. That organization is also not extremely consistent when it comes to handing out discipline.
Pierce said that he expects to find out the league’s ruling on Monday.
“We are hoping for the best but are bracing for the worst,” said Pierce.
The Bulldogs were scheduled to play in the Cheraw spring break tournament on Monday and Tuesday but had to pull out due to the suspension.
They are scheduled to return to action at Crestwood next Tuesday, April 13. They will host Crestwood on Friday, April 16.