Summerville swept its three-game series against Ashley Ridge, putting itself in a prime position to win the Region 7-5A baseball championship.
“Some guys did some big things offensively for us, and we pitched well all week,” said Summerville coach Thane Maness. “Ashley Ridge had the lead early in Game 2, so we had to come from behind, and I think our kids really battled in that game.”
With the victories over the Swamp Foxes, the Green Wave improved to 14-9 with a 5-1 mark in region play with only three region games remaining, all against Fort Dorchester (9-11, 1-5). Summerville can clinch the region title by winning two out of three games against the Patriots.
West Ashley (15-7, 7-2) is currently in second place for the region, followed by Ashley Ridge (7-16, 2-7) and Fort Dorchester.
Summerville opened its series against Ashley Ridge April 15 with an 8-4 road victory.
“We were able to score some runs early,” Maness said. “Guys found a way to get runs in, and Jace Stone came out and really threw strikes and commanded the zone, so that was a really good win on the road.”
The Wave took a 2-0 lead in the first inning. In the third, senior P.J. Morlando sent a two-run shot over the scoreboard in right-center field for a 4-0 Summerville lead. Summerville cushioned that lead by scratching across four more runs in the later innings.
Stone struck out eight batters in six innings without allowing a run.
Summerville hosted Game 2 on April 17 and earned a 3-1 victory. Senior Thayer Tavormina started on the hill and allowed only one run in six innings of work. Aiden Vorlick pitched the final inning, striking out the first two batters and getting the third to ground out.
Ashley Ridge took a 1-0 lead in the top of the third when Hunter Hunt singled to drive in Jagger Spivey.
Summerville tied the game in the fifth when Cody Landis laid down a bunt that pushed pinched runner Tyler Thomas across the plate.
The Wave then scored two runs in the sixth. Catcher Shep Cadwell got things started by reaching on an Ashley Ridge error. After a couple of stolen bases, Summerville added a run with a successful squeeze play. That brought first baseman Wiley Waring to the plate, and he smashed a solo home run for the 3-1 score.
Landis finished 2-for-3 at the plate with an RBI. Ashley Ridge senior Matthew Dominianni was also 2-for-3 at bat.
The teams closed the series out April 19 back at Ashely Ridge. Summerville took advantage of several Ashley Ridge errors in the second to take a 6-1 lead and cruised to a 10-5 win.
Junior Drew Hayes had the start on the hill for Summerville. He only allowed one run in four innings of work on his way to claiming his sixth pitching win of the season. Louden Fachko pitched two-plus innings, and Colten Ceglia closed the game on the mound.
“We really like our pitching staff,” Maness said. “Drew picked up another win tonight, and Thayer Tavormina has five or six on the season. Jace Stone stepped in when Carson Messina got hurt and has been really good. Louden Fachko and Aiden Vorlick are also throwing well.”
Waring reached base four times for Summerville, including twice on hits. He scored two runs and had an RBI. Lewis also reached base four times, had two RBIs and scored twice. Morlando and Landis both reached three times.
Ashley Ridge’s Cohen Parker had two hits and an RBI. Dominianni and Cooper Godsave both reached three times, including once with a double. Hunt and Jack Healing each had an RBI.
The three-game series between Summerville and Fort Dorchester opens April 22 at Green Wave Park, moves to North Charleston April 24 and concludes April 26 back in Summerville. All games begin at 6:30 p.m.
“To finish out this week like we did is important for us,” Maness said. “We are making a steady climb. Hopefully, we are improving, and the goal is to play our best baseball as we reach the playoffs, and I think we are getting closer to that.”
