An unearned run in the third inning proved to be the lone score of the game and Bishop England beat the visiting Bobcats 1-0 to even the Class AAA best-of-three championship series at a game each.
Game three will be contested at Lexington County Stadium on Saturday. A game time has not been announced.
Sophomore left-hander Geoffrey Gilbert allowed three singles and struck out six in a complete game effort. Gilbert improved to 7-0 on the season.
“He was great today,” Bishop England coach Mike Darnell said of his ace. “Two times in the playoffs he’s been like that but he was better today. He was big in a big spot. He’s sort of been a little up and down, about middle of the season, but he has been really good the last two times out.”
The Bishops (23-9) scored their only run in the bottom of the third. Ryan Gaffney led off the frame with a single to left and was sacrificed to second by John Mikell.
Gregory Sanders followed with a bunt that was fielded and thrown away by pitcher Ryan Moore, allowing Gaffney to score from second. The Bishops finished with four hits, all singles, off Moore.
“Yesterday we went through a round of bunting and we really talked about it,” Darnell said. “It’s part of our game. It moves guys around. That’s how we play the game. I know a lot of people aren’t fans of that type of thing but it’s how I came up and it’s what we do.”
Seneca’s best scoring opportunity came in the third when the Bobcats loaded the bases with one out. Gilbert recorded a key strikeout for the second out and retired the side with a fly ball to Leo Albano in center.
“I’ve had some struggles in the year but I’ve learned to trust my stuff,” said Gilbert, a Clemson commitment. “Today I was able to throw hard and throw strikes and that made me successful.
“If any of our guys threw a shutout and kept us alive today, it would have been awesome. This is what I have worked for since I was a little boy throwing the ball in the yard with my dad. It feels great to have a chance to play for a state title.”
Seneca dropped to 24-5 on the season. The Bobcats won game of the series on... Click here to read full article
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