In dramatic fashion, the Marlboro County High baseball team pulled out a critical region victory Tuesday night. The Bulldogs defeated Lakewood, 4-3, keeping the Bulldogs in a tie for the region lead.
With the game tied and two outs in the seventh inning, senior Braxton Hunt singled to left field, allowing Tanner Cheek to score the winning run.
“What a great night for our guys. We almost messed it up, after leading for most of the game, but they found a way to get it done,” said head coach Ryan Pierce. “I’m really proud of their effort and execution in the clutch.”
The Bulldogs played without five regulars, who remain suspended following a post-game scuffle with Manning on May 2.
Marlboro jumped out to an early lead, scoring three times in the bottom of the first inning. Consecutive singles by Thomas Smith, Michael Norris and Hunt loaded the bases.
After Smith raced home on a passed ball, sophomore first baseman Markey Purvis smashed a line drive double to centerfield, scoring Norris and Hunt.
The Gators got back-to-back doubles in the top of the second, generating their first run. The game remained at 3-1 until Lakewood’s final at-bat.
Consecutive singles, followed by an error scored a run for the visitors. They tied the game on another single.
Now faced with extra innings if they couldn’t generate a run, the Bulldogs got the offense, which had stalled since the first inning, back in motion.
With one out, Cheek drew a walk. An error on a ball hit by Smith, allowed Cheek to move up to second.
Both runners moved up on a ground out by Norris, setting up Hunt’s game winning hit.
Hunt led the Marlboro offense, going 3 for 4 at the plate with a run scored and the game-winning RBI.
Purvis was 1 for 3 with the two first-inning RBIs. Norris, Smith, Brandon Murphy and Jonathan Westbay each had a hit in the game.
Cheek got the win, pitching the final two innings. He struck out two. Norris started and provided the Bulldogs with four excellent innings, striking out nine while allowing three hits. Godbold pitched the fifth inning, striking out one.
The Bulldogs played a non-region contest at Cheraw Wednesday night, but that game was not complete by press time for this edition.
Marlboro County will travel to Sumter for the rematch with Lakewood on Friday.

Bulldogs sweep
Crestwood
The Bulldogs remained in the playoff hunt despite the suspensions by blasting Crestwood twice last week.
“The junior varsity guys that we had to move up really came through for us. We knew they could play but having to do it against a varsity team takes some grit,” said Pierce.
Last Wednesday, the Bulldogs shut out the Knights, 10-0.
After two scoreless innings, the Bulldogs took control in the third. Kaden Johnson led off with a single to left. Pinch runner Cade Williams stole second and took third on a passed ball.
Williams scored on a ball hit by Brennan Grooms. Grooms stole second and moved to third on an error. Two consecutive walks pushed Grooms across the plate.
Moments later, a fielder’s choice hit by Markey Purvis allowed Thomas Smith to score from third.
The Bulldogs put the game away with seven runs in the sixth inning.
Senior Tanner Cheek kept the Knights off balance all night, striking out 12 while allowing only 2 hits and a walk.
Gunner Jordan had three RBIs for the Bulldogs. Williams, Grooms and Smith each scored two runs.
Friday night at Gliarmis Field, the Bulldogs would score all that they would need in the first inning. The Bulldogs got four runs in the bottom of the inning with just two hits.
Two of the first four Marlboro batters were hit by pitches. With a single by Smith in between, the Bulldogs loaded the bases with one out. Johnson then walked, driving in Cheek.
Smith scored on a passed ball, then Jackson Godbold smacked a double to right field, scoring Purvis and Williams.
Grooms added a run in the second, scoring on a passed ball after getting on base by way of a walk.
The Bulldogs put the game away with eight runs in the fourth. Consecutive singles by Smith and Jordan started the rally. Smith scored on a passed ball. Moments later, Jordan did the same.
A single by Mason Norris drove in Purvis. Norris, Kadahd Staggers and Grooms scored after the Crestwood pitchers walked five of six Marlboro batters.
Purvis drove in Cheek and Smith with a hard-hit ball to second, for the Bulldogs’ final runs.
The game was called after the Knights were scoreless in the top of the fifth.
Godbold, an eighth grader, was outstanding for the Bulldogs on the mound. He struck out seven while only allowing four hits and no walks.
Smith was 2 for 3 at the plate with 3 runs scored and an RBI. Norris was also 2 for 3 with an RBI and a run scored.
The Bulldogs benefited from nine walks and two errors by the Knights’ defense.