Indian Baseball opens spring season

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By CINDY CROSBY

The USC Salkehatchie Indian baseball team opened their spring 2022 season last week in Allendale. The Indians compete in NJCAA Division I Region X with Florence Darlington Tech, Spartanburg Methodist, USC Union, Louisburg College, USC Lancaster, and USC Sumter. The Indians have 41 players on the roster from across the Lowcountry along with Nebraska, Michigan, Florida, Oklahoma, and the Dominican Republic. They are coached by Jeremy Joye who has served as the head coach since June 2019. In 2020-21, the Indians finished 13-36 overall and 6-12 in conference play. They are currently 0-7 on the season.

In the season opener held Friday, January 28 at home, the Indians fell 15-3 against non-conference opponent Walters State Community College. Heston Thompson took the loss for USC Salkehatchie Indians, lasting three and two-thirds innings, allowing six hits and nine runs while striking out four and walking one. The offense was led by Jason Wilson, Michael Singletary, Rushton Bowles, and Eric Green (homerun) who each managed one hit in the game.

Salkehatchie continued their three-game series against Walters State in a double-header the following day, losing 10-0, 12-11. In game one, Jard Luis Rodriguez started the game for Salkehatchie, lasting one inning, allowing two hits and two runs, walking none. Entering in relief, Juan Rodriguez took the loss going three and a third innings, allowing one run on three hits, striking out three and walking one. In game two, the Indians struggled to put runs on the board and had a tough time defensively containing Walters State, giving up 11 runs. Nate Kiser started the game for the Indians and allowed six hits and seven runs over one and one-third innings, striking out two. Michael Dorso, Mack Ritter, Nolan McGonigle, and Ahmad Tucker entered the game in relief. Christian Roder and Hunter Young recorded a hit in the game.

“Although the outcome of the series against Walters State was not what we desired, I have very high hopes for this group of guys,” said Coach Joye. “It has been said that it is a wonderful thing when your best player is also your hardest worker. I cannot tell you who my hardest worker is. They argue at times because that is what brothers do, and this is one big family, but they are also constantly pushing each other to be better. They are working together to achieve a goal. I am witnessing sophomores, who came in as very self-centered freshmen last year and obsessed with personal stats, now putting any selfish needs aside and making every effort to groom the current freshmen.”

In a double-header against Cleveland Community College on Saturday, February 5 in Allendale, the Indians lost 2-0 and 12-11. Trailing by seven runs in the fifth inning of game two, the Indians made a comeback attempt but fell short. Nate Kiser took the loss for Salkehatchie, lasting three innings, allowing eight hits and six runs while striking out four and walking one. The Indians tallied 11 hits on the day with Eric Green, Ra’Shard Brown, Gabe White, and Colby Routh recording multiple hits.

The Indians hosted Catawba Valley on Sunday, February 6 for a double-header where they would fall 13-1 and 2-0. In game one, Gannon Honea earned the start and would surrender six runs on five hits over three innings, striking out one. Donovan Parker and Ahmad Tucker entered the game from the bullpen, throwing one inning each. Jason Wilson recorded the only hit in the game.

It was a pitcher’s duel in game two against Catawba Valley. Heston Thompson went the distance, allowing one earned run on three hits, striking out 10 and issuing four walks. Eric Green went 2-3 at the plate and Gabe White was 1-3.

Salkehatchie traveled to South Georgia State on Tuesday, February 8 for a double-header before heading to Abraham Baldwin Agricultural School on Saturday, February 12.