Bluffton American’s Dixie Youth Minors squad claimed district baseball supremacy at Oscar Frazier Park on Sunday, defeating Hilton Head 15-5 before rallying past Bluffton National 15-7 to capture the Minors (9-10) District 8 title and punch its ticket to the state tournament.
Hilton Head gave the champions a strong fight in the first game of the day, grabbing a 4-2 lead after two frames. But Bluffton American quickly took back the momentum, striking for seven runs in the fourth to open up a 9-4 advantage. Hilton Head answered back in the top of the fifth, but a pair of defensive gems including a majestic throw from center fielder Henry Numssen to home plate kept the visitors from coming any closer. Bluffton American then shut the door in the bottom half with six more crossing the plate to eliminate Hilton Head in a 15-5 run-rule triumph.
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Numssen was spectacular on all sides of the diamond, going 3-for-4 with a double, two triples, and a pair of RBIs along with his spectacular play in the outfield. Nicholas Carpenter delivered a clutch 3 1/3 innings on the mound, allowing no earned runs and striking out two batters with a pair of 1-2-3 frames while adding two hits at the plate. Finn Boyles added a team-high four RBIs from the leadoff spot, and the duo of Zack Szypczak and Charlie Nelson notched two hits apiece.
The stage was set for an all-Bluffton showdown to decide the District 8 championship. Bluffton American needed just one more win over Bluffton National to clinch the title, and the designated home team got the offense clicking right away. Ignited by a four-run first thanks to RBI hits from Nic Farrugia, Austin Broene, and Szypczak, the only undefeated squad left seized control with a 5-1 lead after two innings. A pair of costly errors capped off by a Declan Mitchell double brought Bluffton National all the way back to take a 7-5 advantage in the third, but a resilient Bluffton American group never gave in, rattling off 10 unanswered runs to complete an unbeaten week and take the district title.
Farrugia rose to the occasion in the biggest moments, going 3-for-4 at the plate with three RBIs while tossing a dazzling 3 1/3 innings on the mound with six strikeouts to lock down the championship. Boyles set the tone from the leadoff spot with a 3-for-4 afternoon including two doubles, while Szypczak, Numssen, and Noah Sepalveda added a pair of hits each.
Mitchell impressed for Bluffton National, finishing 1-for-3 and driving in two runs.
Bluffton American will now advance to the South Carolina Dixie Youth Minors state tournament from July 9-15 in Union.
By Wes Kerr