Cardinals win game two of double elimination 

 

LANDRUM—On Monday April 29, Landrum hosted the District III Championship against Fox Creek High School. Landrum advanced through the winners bracket and were a game up in the series going into a double elimination playoff on Monday night. Over the weekend the two teams that advanced through the losers bracket, Central High School and Fox Creek High School, played to determine whom the Cardinals would face for the District III Championship. The Cardinals had already defeated Central in the second round of playoffs and because of their position in the bracket the Cardinals had an advantage going into the District Championship against either opponent.  

In the top of the sixth inning the Cardinals were down 3-2 but were able to bring things level at 3-3 before moving into the final inning. The Cardinals had the opportunity to win the championship in game one but were forced to play a double header after a seventh inning rally from Fox Creek that saw them score three unanswered runs. At the top of the seventh inning the Cardinals had tied things up at 3-3 but several unforced errors resulted in three runs for Fox Creek. The Cardinals allowed three runs to be brought in after getting two outs with two runners on base.  Fox Creek forced the Cardinals into playing game two after winning game one 6-3. 

Game two saw the Cardinals surge with new energy and took the game to Fox Creek.  

The Cardinals had a much better performance in game two; they played better in the field and held Fox Creek to just one run. Zander Steele hit a two run homer in the second inning that proved to be the pivotal moment in the championship clash. Landrum continued that pressure and scored a total of four runs in the second inning, giving them an early lead in the game that allowed them to dictate play for the rest of the game. Pitching Coach Justin Henson has said in recent weeks that getting an early lead is crucial to the way the team wants to play. Henson said that when the Cardinals are able to get a lead early on, it puts them in the drivers seat for the rest of the game. Landrum were able to score a total of six runs in game two, beating Fox Creek 6-1 and winning the District III Championship in the process.  

The victory gives the Cardinals their fourteenth District Championship in program history.  This is the second district title for the Cardinals in the span of roughly three seasons, with their last district title win in 2017.  

The Cardinals are now the District III Champions and will play again on Thursday May 2, against Abbeville High School in the Upper State Championship playoff. At the time of writing, Abbeville High School is ranked first in the AA Division in South Carolina with Landrum right behind them in second. This ranking includes all teams from the upper and lower parts of the state. The winner of the Abbeville and Landrum playoff game will be the favorite for the State Championship.  

—By Samuel Robinson 

Sam.robinson@tryondailybulletin.com