By Thomas Grant Jr.
It was “Super Saturday” 10 years ago for Lexington County soccer.
On that hot, humid day at W.C. Hawkins Stadium, two girls’ and two boys’ teams claimed state titles. Sweeping the Class 3A classification was Chapin High School with the girls defeating Hilton Head Island with current boys’ head coach Bob Taylor and the boys winning the first of two straight final meetings against Eastside.
This Saturday, Chapin has an opportunity to “Run It Back”. This time, the site for Saturday’s Class 5A Division II final is Memorial Stadium where it’s a battle of the “Eagles”.
In the 4 p.m. girls’ final, Chapin will face defending 3-time champion Eastside. It’s a rematch from last year’s final won by the Upstate Lady Eagles 3-2 in overtime on a goal by Payton Nutzman.
Chapin (18-3) is riding a 13-game winning streak after advancing to a 2-1 victory over Lucy Beckham in the Lower State final. Senior Lila Bowers, who was selected to the S.C. High School Soccer Coaches Association Class 5A Division II All-State team with Avery and Sydney Stoner, accounted for both goals.
Eastside (22-2) has won seven straight games and has not allowed a goal in its three post-season games. Goalkeeper Emmy Rikard has accounted for six shutouts during the winning streak.
Following the girls’ final, the Chapin and Eastside boys will match up for the title. It’s the third championship meeting between the two programs, the previous two in 2016-17 both won by the Lexington County Eagles.
Both teams are also seeking their seventh state titles having each won in three classifications
Chapin (18-4) is coming off a dramatic 2-1 overtime win in the Lower State final at Myrtle Beach. Lucas Rogers connected on a golden goal during sudden death for the victory.
The Lexington County Eagles are led by All-State selections Jacob Braden, Jackson Dyer and Jalen Tucker. Eastside (15-7) is seeking its first state title since 2022.
Both games are available for a subscription fee at www.nfhsnetwork.com.
BASEBALL
While the soccer teams prepare for the state final, the baseball team started a Best-of-Three series Tuesday against 10th seed West Florence in the Lower State final.
The third-seeded Eagles went 3-0 in winning the District Four title. After opening with an 11-3 win over Conway, they posted two straight wins over North Myrtle Beach (9-1 and 5-3) to reach its first semifinal since winning the Class 4A title in 2018.
Pitcher Mac Berry was the lone S.C. Baseball Coaches Association’s Class 5A Division II selection. He had eight strikeouts in the first victory over the Chiefs.
Chapin earned a 7-3 victory over West Florence in Game One at home. Felix Flecha Ruiz put Chapin ahead in the Bottom 1st with a 2-run homer.
The Knights added a run on the first of two solo homers by Chase Anderson in the Top 2nd. Chapin then scored five unanswered runs in the fifth and sixth innings, two each on a single by Kaedyn Harris and double by Reese Jolly.
Winning pitcher Mac Berry and Cooper Derrick each struck out five batters for Chapin. Game Two is scheduled for Thursday in Florence with a return trip to Chapin for Game Three, if necessary.
The winner will open the Best-of-Three final Tuesday against either T.L. Hanna or top-seed Indian Land.
TRACK & FIELD
Alex Rose and McKenzie Lindler both earned gold medals this past Saturday at the Class 5A Division II championships at Richland Northeast High School.
Rose was victorious in the 3,200 meters, while Lindler won the pole vault. In a gender reversal, Benjamin Bonnett (pole vault) and Sadie Blocker (3,200 meters) both placed third.
