Florence Post 1 opened the first round lower state American Legion playoff series with back-to-back wins against Manning-Santee Post 68.

On Monday night, Florence earned a 12-1 seven-inning win over Manning in Florence, taking advantage of four errors in the first inning for a 5-0 lead.

Florence went ahead 12-1 in the fifth with a two-run homer from Grayson Cottingham and a solo homer from Dillon’s Patrick Herring. Cottingham led the team at bat with two hits and three RBI, and Ke’Shaun Samuel and Steven Calcutt added two hits each. Florence had 11 hits in the win.

Kam Dixon got the win on the mound, striking out six with three hits, one run, and two walks. William Ard took the loss for Manning.

Ard led Manning at bat, going 1-for-3 with one RBI. Manning had eight errors in the effort.

On Tuesday, Florence traveled to Manning for the second game of the best-of-five series, earning a 10-0 win in seven innings. Post 1 picked up five runs in the second inning to help secure the win.

Lake View’s Weston Rogers got the win, pitching four innings for one hit and eight outs.

Cody Green led at bat with three hits; Cal Butler went 2-for-3 with two RBI; and Weston Rogers had a two-run triple.

Florence improves to 23-4 overall and was scheduled host Manning on Wednesday. A win would give Post 1 a sweep and send them to the second series of the playoffs. If necessary, a fourth game will be played at Manning tonight, and a fifth game in Florence on Friday.

In the other lower state playoff matchups, Orangeburg held a 1-0 series lead over Goose Creek after game two was rained out on Tuesday. Hartsville led Murrells Inlet 2-0 after securing a 13-6 win on Monday and a 6-1 win on Tuesday. Chapin-Newberry defeated Dalzell 16-0 and 21-2 for a 2-0 series lead. Horry was 2-0 over Lake City with a 9-2 win on Monday and a 14-11 win on Tuesday, and Camden and West Columbia were tied 1-1 with Camden taking a 10-0 win on Monday and West Columbia earning a 7-5 win on Tuesday.

Sumter won by forfeit and will advance directly to the second series.
In Junior Legion action, Florence Post 1 leads Lake City 1-0 with a 10-1 win on Monday. Camden leads Hartsville 1-0 with an 11-1 win on Tuesday, and Horry leads Marion after a 3-2 8-inning win on Tuesday. Aynor shut out Kingstree 10-0 Tuesday night to lead 1-0. All four first round series were scheduled to continue on Wednesday night.

Three matchups have already been decided. South Florence Blue defeated Sumter 2-0 and will advance, and Marlboro swept Manning-Santee 2-0 to advance. Johnsonville also advanced with wins over Cane Bay.