By CINDY CROSBY
Cindyc4@yahoo.com
The War Hawk varsity baseball team was eliminated from the SCISA AA Lower Bracket Playoffs following losses against Lee Academy (12-2) and Greenwood Christian (8-7) last week. Colleton Prep finished the 2021 season 11-10 overall and 8-2 in Region IV-AA.
In the opening game against Lee Academy (No. 2 seed) Tuesday April 27 on the road, senior Kyle Hooker earned the start and went four innings, allowing four earned runs on two hits, striking out four and issuing three walks. Carter Smoak, Cole Gullotti, and Drew Murdaugh entered in relief. The War Hawks had three hits in the game with Gullotti going 1-2 with 2-RBI’s. Colton Daniels and Kyle Hooker had a hit each.
The following evening, the War Hawks traveled to Greenwood Christian in an elimination game. Colleton Prep led by two runs after four complete innings, but Greenville scored three unanswered runs in the fifth. Tied at seven runs at the end of the seventh inning, Greenwood managed to plate what would be the winning run in the top of the eighth.
Colton Daniels started on the mound, allowing five earned runs on nine hits, striking out three across five innings. Carter Smoak entered in relief and allowed three earned runs on four hits, striking out two and issuing three walks. Huiet Rowe was 4-4 with 2-RBI’s and scored twice. Seniors Pete Peters and Hooker recorded multiple hits in the game. Smoak and Hayden Williams had a hit each. Daniels led the War Hawks with three of six stolen bases.
“I am so proud of this team and this group of seniors,” said Coach Collin Miller. “They gave me everything they had tonight, and it just did not bounce our way, but hey that is baseball. I am so thankful for the team accepting me as their coach so late into the pre-season and for the opportunity to work with this special group of men. I am excited for next season and want to wish good luck to all of the seniors in the future.”
