Cavaliers whipped in Game 1

By DENNIS BRUNSON
Item Sports Editor
dennisb@theitem.com

COLUMBIA — Darren Griggs had no explanation for what happened to his Robert E. Lee Academy baseball team in the opening game of its best-of-3 series against Ben Lippen in the SCISA 3A state playoffs semifinals. What he does know is if the Cavaliers give a repeat performance in Game 2 today in Bishopville, their season will be over.

REL committed four errors that led to 10 unearned runs for the Falcons in their 15-4 victory on Tuesday at the Ben Lippen field in a game called after five innings due to the 10-run mercy rule.

"I don't know what to say to explain why we came out on the field like that tonight," said Griggs, whose squad fell to 25-6 on the season. "I do know that if you get beat 15-4 in the semifinals of the state playoffs, it sure looks like you shouldn't be there."

Ben Lippen, the defending state runner-up which improved to 22-5 on the season, did manage 15 hits with 13 of them coming off of Robert E. Lee starting pitcher Scott Ward. The right-handed Ward, who had pitched a complete game in a win over Hilton Head Christian in the quarterfinals on Friday, gave up seven extra-base hits. Griggs had no problems with the way Ward pitched on Tuesday.

"I said he could go and that he felt good," said Griggs, who initially didn't plan to go with Ward on the mound in Game 1. "And he didn't pitch bad tonight. We didn't make any plays behind him. We were standing around on both the infield and the outfield letting balls fall in. We were making errors and you can't beat anybody playing like that.

"Scott's one of our best pitchers, but we don't play good defense behind him," Griggs added.

The Falcons got on the board in the first inning when Kyle Williamson drew a leadoff walk and scored on a 1-out triple by Rick Davis. Davis scored on a 2-out double by John Montgomery. That was the only inning in which Ben Lippen didn't score an unearned run.

Ben Lippen added two more in the second on a Williamson sacrifice fly and a 2-out Blaine Walker double. The inning started with Colby Edwards reaching on an error after striking out on a curveball in the dirt.

The Falcons added three more in the third to go up 7-0. The final two scored when REL rightfielder Ryan Smith dropped a fly ball with two outs.

The Falcons put the game away with eight runs in the fourth. They had eight hits in the inning, but two REL errors led to only two of the runs being earned.

Ward worked 4 1/3 innings and was charged with all 15 runs. He had six strikeouts against just two walks.

Williamson picked up the victory for the Cavaliers, going all five innings. He allowed six hits while striking out two and walking five.

The Cavaliers scored twice in the fourth on a 2-run double by Preston Lane. Tyler Jackson, who had two hits, smacked a 2-run homer in the fifth to make it 15-4. Davis, the Ben Lippen centerfielder, made a diving catch with runners on second and third to end the top of the fifth — and the game.

The Cavaliers also had two two runners picked off base — one on second and one on third.

"We just didn't play well at all," said Griggs, who was visibly unhappy with his team. "When you're dropping balls and getting picked off of bases, you can't expect to win."

Davis led the Falcons offensively, going 3-for-4 with a double, a triple and three runs batted in. Walker had two hits, including a double, and three RBI. Justin Norris, John Montgomery, Rob Brigman and Mobley Jeter each had two hits.

Griggs said he will likely go with the right-handed Jackson on the mound for today's 7 p.m. game at the REL field.

Reach Sports Editor Dennis Brunson at dennisb@theitem.com or (803) 774-1241.