While the Gaffney Post 109 team had a volatile start to the season, it is business as usual as the team gears up for another state tournament appearance.

Gaffney (18-6 and the second seed in the Upstate) plays Florence (27-6 and third seed in the Lower state) today at Memorial Field in Columbia in the second game of the state tournament.

The game is slated to start at 3 p.m.

First-year manager Zach Clary, who took over as manager after the abrupt firing of Travis Clary prior to the start of the season, said the team is anxious to play.

“We know what to do and how to do it,” Clary said. “We just have to play the game. There isn’t a team out there we can’t beat. We just have to be solid in all three phases.”

Post 109 should be tested right away by Florence.

“They are at the state tournament for a reason,” Clary said. “Their record shows they are good.”

Florence showed the ability to bounce back, beating Murrell’s Inlet in the playoffs after falling behind 0-2 in the best-of-five series.

Gaffney displayed its resiliency by putting together a 7-game win streak after starting the season with four straight losses. Clary said the turnaround happened in a dramatic ninthinning rally against Cherryville.

“Beating them in the ninth inning on a walkoff single was big,” he said.

Bobby Jackson, who pitched a onehitter in his last outing, will get the start.

“He’s had the most experience,” Clary said. “We are going with our best right now.”

Ryan Westbrook, who has struggled with his control as of late, and Bubba Wright are also available to start. Offensively, Jackson and Jordan Garrett have swung the hottest bats. Garrett, especially, has come alive after moving into the cleanup spot.

Post 109 should get a boost by the return of third baseman Spencer Epps, who jammed his ankle in the team’s clinchingvictory over second-round opponent Easley. Epps successfully rehabbed the injury this week at Joe McKowen’s Physical Therapy and is expected to be in today’s lineup.

Speaking of lineups, Clary likes his. “There’s just no weak spot,” he said.

Defensively, the team’s been solid all season. Clary said he likes his team’s chemistry.

“It took a little bit, but we’ve come together as a team,” he said. “Off the field, everybody is hanging out together.”

This is Post 109’s fifth appearance in the state tournament. Post 109 finished as the runnerup in 2007 and advanced to the Southeast Regional.

Post 109 will play at noon on Saturday in a loser’s bracket game if it loses today. A win over Florence, though, means Gaffney will take on either Sumter or Richland at 3 p.m. on Saturday.

Both games will be played at Capitol City Stadium.

Note - The team would like to thank the Varsity Square restaurant for hosting a dinner for the team this week. IF YOU'RE GOING

Capitol City Stadium Take I-26 to Columbia. Exit at Elwood Avenue. Turn right onto Assembly Street for about about three or four miles. The stadium will be on your right.
Memorial Stadium. Take I-26 to Columbia. Exit at Elwood Avenue. Turn right onto Assembly Street. Turn left onto Rosewood (before the Fairgrounds) for about 1 1/2 miles. Turn right onto South Holly (at Publix supermarket). There's a sign directing you to Memorial Stadium. The baseball stadium is behind the football field.