The Bluffton all-stars avenged an earlier loss to Colleton County and advanced the championship round with a 5-1 victory Sunday, winning their second consecutive elimination game in the Dixie Youth Baseball O-Zone (11-12) district tournament at The Crossings Park.
Bluffton will face undefeated Hilton Head at 6:30 p.m. Monday, needing to beat the host team twice to claim the district title and advance to the state tournament.
Brandon Hunter pitched a gem for Bluffton, striking out 10 and allowing just one run and four hits with three walks in a complete game, and he went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run to help fuel a balanced offensive attack.
Micah Morgan was 2-for-3 with a double and scored twice from the leadoff spot, Michael O’Connell drove in two runs, and Lucas Price had a hit and an RBI. Dylan O’Hara and Luke Carens also had hits for Bluffton.
Hilton Head has won its first two games by a combined score of 26-0 and is one win from the district title. If Bluffton can knock off the host team Monday, the teams will meet again for the championship Tuesday.