The Beaufort County All-Stars came short in their state title bid at the Dixie Junior Boys (13U) State Tournament, losing twice to Sumter in the championship round Thursday at Bluffton’s Oscar Frazier Park.
Sumter used a strong pitcher performance from Clark Kinney — who also added a three-run homer — to win the first game 9-5, forcing a winner-take-all rematch. Beaufort County left nine men on base and made three errors as Sumter claimed the second game 11-1 in six innings.
Braydon Dineen was 2-for-3 with an RBI and Kyler McKeever had an RBI double and scored a run in the opener. McKeever was tagged with the loss on the mound.
McKeever had three of Beaufort County’s six hits in the finale, while Logan Brutcher, Owen Harwell, and Carter Zareva each added a hit. Brutcher took the loss on the mound.
Beaufort County advanced to the championship game with two wins Wednesday, rallying for an 8-6 victory over St. George in a game that was suspended by thunderstorms Tuesday night before rolling to a 12-2 win over North Augusta later in the day.
The local team trailed 4-1 when storms rolled in during the fourth inning Tuesday but scored three runs in the fourth and three in the fifth when play resumed Wednesday morning to remain undefeated. Kevin Brown was 2-for-3 with two RBIs, and Brutcher and Hudson Mullen each had two hits, two runs, and an RBI to lead Beaufort County at the plate. Brutcher earned the win, allowing one runs and three hits over three solid innings in relief.
Beaufort County again rallied from an early deficit in the nightcap, trailing 2-0 before outscoring North Augusta 12-0 over the next three innings, including a nine-run fourth to break it open.
Mullen was 2-for-4 with two doubles and four RBIs, Jadyn Andrews added two hits, and Brutcher and Dineen each drove in two runs. Zareva was the winning pitcher, allowing one run and four hits over 3 2/3 innings with three strikeouts.
Both Beaufort County and Sumter advance to the Dixie Junior Boys World Series from Aug. 3-7 in Aiken and will square off again in the opening round of the double-elimination tournament
Photos by Bob Sofaly
Beaufort County’s Logan Brutcher delivers a pitch during the championship game of the Dixie Junior Boys State Tournament on Thursday at Oscar Frazier Park in Bluffton.
Beaufort County first baseman Jadyn Andrews receives a pickoff throw during the championship game of the Dixie Junior Boys State Tournament on Thursday at Oscar Frazier Park in Bluffton.
