Post 109 takes 2-0 series lead

Photo by LARRY HILLIARD Post 109's Dylan Jolley arrives ahead of the throw at third base in a playoff game against Fort Mill on Tuesday. His triple knocked in Spencer Epps to give Post 109 a 4-2 lead. If it's July, Post 109 must be turning heads in postseason play.

Seeking its fourth straight state tournament appearance, Post 109 took a commanding 2-0 lead in its opening round best-of-five playoff series with a 12-2 victory over Fort Mill Tuesday at Commissioners Field.

Gaffney, which opened the series with an easy 19-2 win on Monday, goes for the sweep today at Fort Mill. Jake Watson will get the start.

"We are getting runners on base and getting them in," Post 109 manager Jeff Osment said. "We are doing what needs to be done."

And that goes for the pitchers, as well. Dustin Byars scattered six hits over six innings to get the win on Tuesday. Jason Biershenk allowed six hits and struck out six in seven innings in the series opener.

"Our pitchers are throwing strikes and not walking anybody," Osment said.

Dylan Jolley, Lee Gerwick and McCrae Norton each had three hits on Tuesday for Post 109.

Leading 5-2, Gaffney got some breathing room with three runs in the sixth. Gerwick had a RBI single and two more runs scored on a throwing error after Dylan Jolley's infield single.

Gaffney put the game away with four runs in the seventh. Bobby Jackson had a triple before Spencer Epps reached on a walk. Jolley, Gerwick and Norton followed with three straight RBI singles.

On Monday, John Michaels was the offensive star with four hits, including a 2-run homer. Bubba Wright and Jolley also had 2-run homers in the rout.

Jackson and Wright each had four RBIs for Post 109, which struck for six runs in the sixth and eight runs in the eighth.

"It was a good way to start the playoffs," Osment said. "Once we knocked the rust off, we got it dialed in good."