Baseball Loses in Upper State; State Golf Begins

The SJCS baseball team fell behind early, rallied late but lost to Southside Christian 6-4 in an elimination game of the Class 3A Upper State tournament Monday at Lasorda Family Field.

The Knights ended the season with a record of 18-10.

The Sabres scored a run in the first, three more in the second and led 6-1 after four innings.

The Knights gradually cut into Southside Christian's lead. They scored a run in the third inning when Henry Dryden walked, moved to second on a wild pitch, went to third on a groundout and came home on a passed ball.

St. Joe's scored another run in the sixth without a hit. Jackson Campbell was hit by a pitch, went to second on a groundout and to third on a wild pitch. He scored on John Eberstein's groundout.

The Knights made it interesting in the seventh. Singles by pinch hitters Josh Lyons and Alex Gibeau and another by Dean Dryden loaded the bases. Henry Dryden's groundout scored Lyons to make it 6-3.

With two outs and runners at second and third, Quinn Walsh singled, driving in Ben McKay (who was running for Gibeau) and pulling the Knights to within 6-4. But the Sabres' Brady Savage was able to get a ground ball that led to a fielder's choice and the final out.

Still, the Knights had a highly successful first season in Class 3A that included a runner-up finish in the region and a third consecutive district championship.

PHOTO GALLERY

Boys Golf

The SJCS boys golf team shot 329, good for 11th out of 19 teams after Monday’s first round of the Class 3A state tournament at Newberry Country Club.

Cael Roberts led the Knights with a 79, and Smith Crick was right behind at 80. Rounding out the first-day scores were Clyde Williams at 83, Bryce Chapman at 87 and George Covington at 89.

The tournament concludes with today's final round.