Cards win District II baseball title before bowing out of playoffs

Published 11:21 am Monday, May 15, 2017

Twenty-three and six made for a great baseball season for Landrum, but head coach Daniel Little would be happier if his Cardinals were still in the state AA tournament, instead of bowing out last week.

A 10-7 loss to Chesnee on May 5, and a 1-0 setback to St. Joseph’s Catholic on May 8, put the Cardinals out of contention. Their four tournament wins came against Saluda, Andrew Jackson and Abbeville (twice), after suffering a loss to Abbeville.

“We had a great season,” Little remarked. “(I’m) really proud of our guys for working hard and playing their best baseball at the end of the season. We finished with an overall record of 23-6, and District II champion. This is our most wins since moving from A to AA, and the first time winning the district since moving up to AA.”

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In their May 2 doubleheader sweep at Abbeville, the Cards took the opener, 9-7, as Drew Black laced three hits (including two doubles) for Landrum. Teammates Trey Smith, Jacob Murphy and Michael Clark added two hits each. In the nightcap, Landrum earned a 5-4, nine-inning win, as Black hit safely five times (with one double). Cole Rogers and Cole Steele added two hits apiece for the winners.

On May 5 at Chesnee, the host Eagles plated six runs in the second, and went on to trip the Cardinals, 10-7. Clark and Black each hit safely twice for Landrum.

Pitching ruled on May 8, when St. Joseph’s Catholic edged the visiting Cardinals, 1-0, forcing them out of the playoffs. Murphy and Trey Jackson each contributed one of Landrum’s two hits.