Bluffton American held on for a 4-3 win over Hilton Head on Friday to stay undefeated in the Dixie Youth Baseball Minors (9-10) District 8 Tournament in Walterboro.
Archer Dewig’s two-run single in the fifth gave Bluffton American the lead for good an inning after Hilton Head had plated three runs to take a 3-2 advantage.
Colin Hetzel earned the win, allowing three runs over three innings in relief of Max Van Esselyn, who threw three hitless innings. Hetzel recorded a game-ending strikeout to strand the tying run at third in the bottom of the sixth and preserve the win.
J.P. Pirkey two-run double in the fourth, then scored on Teaghan Mitchell single to give Hilton Head a 3-2 lead.
Bluffton National also won a thriller, staying alive with a 5-4 victory over Beaufort. Trent Miller’s walk-off RBI single lifted Bluffton National, which will face Hilton Head in an elimination game at 6 p.m. Saturday.
Bluffton American will take on Colleton County at 8 p.m.
The tournament continues through Sunday with the champion advancing to the state tournament July 14-18 in Moncks Corner.