Norton, Gerwick lead Gaffney past Union

Post 109's Dustin Byars allowed seven hits to earn the win on Wednesday. Post 109 batters made it rough on Union - again.

Twenty-four hours after scoring 17 runs in a win, Gaffney exceeded that total in a 19-3 victory over Union on Tuesday. For the second straight game, Post 109 also exploded for a big inning. On Tuesday, Gaffney scored 11 runs in the ninth inning - two less than Post 109 scored in the sixth inning Wednesday night.

McCrae Norton homered and knocked in four runs and Lee Gerwick had three hits and scored four runs in the Gaffney onslaught.

Gaffney finishes the regular season in second place in League VI with a 12- 4 mark.

"We didn't reach our goal of winning it, but now the playoffs start the real season and we'll see what we have," Gaffney coach Jeff Osment said.

Post 109 advanced to the Southeast Regional last season and Osment said this team is showing the same chemistry.

"We are starting to play together as a team," he said.

They sure are hitting as a team. Bubba Wright had three hits and John Michaels, Bobby Jackson and Michael Hughey each had two hits for Post 109.

Dustin Byars was the beneficiary of the run support.

He allowed seven hits and three runs to pick up the win. He struck out two but didn't allow a walk.

Gaffney jumped on top with a pair of runs in the first inning. After Gerwick reached on a fielder's choice, Norton blasted a homer.

Wright walked and scored on Gerwick's fielder's choice for Post 109's run in the third inning.

Bobby Jackson and Wright had RBIs in a three-run third inning.

After Gaffney scored one run apiece in the fourth and fifth innings, Michaels triggered the nine-run explosion with a walk to start the sixth.

Hughey knocked in Michaels with a single before Dylan Jolley was hit by a pitch to load the bases.

Gerwick added another RBI single. Norton and Michaels each walked to force home a run. Jackson and Hughey followed with RBI hits to cap the scoring.

In the seventh, Michaels and Aaron Harris had the RBIs for Post 109.

Gaffney will host a first-round playoff opponent on Monday, July 14. Osment said he has scheduled scrimmages with Spartanburg and Inman to stay sharp during the layoff.