After dropping their opening game, the Beaufort County All-Stars reeled off three straight lopsided wins to advance to the final four of the Dixie Junior Boys World Series in Aiken.
Beaufort County got off to a rocky start in the double-elimination tournament, losing 11-1 to Sumter on Saturday — the local team’s third consecutive loss to the state champs — but they rolled to big wins in their next three games, smashing Spring Hill, Florida, 21-6 on Sunday, beating Huntington, Texas, 13-3 on Monday, and routing Hattiesburg, Mississippi, 16-1 on Tuesday.
Beaufort County managed only four hits in the opener, while Sumter scored in each of the first four innings to build a big lead en route to a third straight win over Beaufort County. Logan Brutcher went 2-for-3, Kevin Brown had an RBI double, and Hudson Mullen added a hit for Beaufort County. Starter Joab Stephens was charged with the loss.
Beaufort County rediscovered its potent offense against Florida, scoring in each of the game’s six innings, including a pair of five-run frames and a seven-run sixth. Jadyn Andrews went 5-for-5 with four runs and four RBIs, and Kyler McKeever was 4-for-5 with a double, a triple, two runs, and five RBIs to lead the offensive outburst. Brown was 4-for-5 with three runs and an RBI, Carter Zareva was 3-for-4 with a double and three RBIs, and Braydon Dineen was 3-for-3 with two runs and an RBI. Brutcher started and earned the win on the mound, allowing one run and two hits over two innings.
The local squad kept rolling Monday, beating Texas 13-3 in five innings to stay alive. Beaufort County banged out 15 hits, including two apiece from McKeever, Brutcher, Mullen, Owen Harwell, Brown, and Andrews. Mullen and Zareva each drove in three runs, and Harwell added two RBIs. Mullen went the distance on the mound for Beaufort County, allowing three unearned runs and four hits with four strikeouts.
The hits kept coming against Mississippi, as Beaufort County put up 13 runs in the second inning en route to a 16-1 win in three innings. McKeever was 3-for-4 with a double, three RBIs, and three runs to lead the offense and struck out three while allowing one unearned run over two innings to earn the win. Dietrich Shuford and Dineen each added a hit and two RBIs.
At press time, Beaufort County was scheduled to play at 7 p.m. Tuesday with a spot in the championship game on the line. Check LowcoSports.com for the latest local sports news.
