Lake View’s Wild Gators continue to dominate the playoffs, as they eliminated Timmonsville 12-5 on Wednesday and sent Green Sea-Floyds to the loser bracket in an 11-0 shut out on Saturday.
The Wild Gators claimed the Class A District VIII title on Wednesday, May 4, as they eliminated the Whirlwinds 12-5. The Wild Gators ended the first inning with a 2-0 lead, with both teams adding three runs in the third. Lake View doubled their score with five runs in the fourth, and added two more runs in the sixth for a 12-3 lead. Timmonsville managed two more runs in the seventh for the 12-5 finish. Lake View had eight hits in the win, while Timmonsville had seven.
Zach Allen got the win for Lake View, pitching six innings and allowing only four hits and four walks, striking out 10. Rocky Strickland took the loss for Timmonsville, pitching five innings for eight hits and four walks, striking out one.
At bat, A.J. Hyatt led Lake View, going 2-for-4, while Timmonsville’s Hickson went 2-for-3.
Lake View advanced to the Lower State playoffs which began on Saturday with Lake View hosting Green Sea-Floyds. The Wild Gators held the Trojans scoreless as they earned six runs in the second inning, three in the fourth, and one each in the first and third for the 11-0 win. Lake View had 15 hits in the win, while the Trojans only had two.
Hunter Walters got the win for Lake View, facing 19 batters across five innings, allowing only two hits and two walks while striking out 10.
Colby Ward took the loss for Green Sea-Floyds, pitching two innings for seven hits, seven runs, five earned runs, and a walk, striking out one. Wisnowski also pitched two innings for the Trojans, allowing eight hits, four runs, and four earned runs, striking out three.
Lake View’s leading hitters included Chris Ford, 3-for-4 with a triple and one run scored; Zach Allen, 3-for-3 with a double, three RBIs, and one run scored; A.J. Hyatt, 2-for-3 with an RBI and two runs scored; Eric Munoz, 2-for-3 with three RBIs; and Cody Cox went 2-for-3 with two RBIs and two runs scored.
Also batting for Lake View, David Townsend went 1-for-3 with two runs scored; Hunter Walters went 1-for-3 with one RBI and one run scored; Steele Spivey went 1-for-2 with one RBI and one run scored; and Jordan Miller scored one run for the Wild Gators.
Green Sea-Floyds had hits from Wisnowski, 1-for-3, and Caines, 1-for-2.
Lake View’s record improved to 23-1 overall as they headed into Monday night’s game against Bamberg-Ehrhardt. Bamberg defeated Latta 5-3 over the weekend. If Lake View is successful, they won’t play again until Friday, May 13, when they’ll host the Lower State championship game. If they lose against Bamberg-Ehrhardt, they will play again on Wednesday, May 11, and face the winner of Monday’s game between Latta and Green Sea-Floyds.
UPDATE: Lake View defeated Bamberg-Ehrhardt and will host the Lower State Championship game on Friday.