By Thomas Grant Jr. Down 7-0 at Forest City after two innings, it appeared the Lexington County Blowfish’s chances as repeating as Coastal Plain League champion were sunk. Over the next seven innings, the Blowfish found their winning “stroke”. They scored 12 unanswered runs and held on for the 12-9Continue Reading
By Thomas Grant, Jr. So many events, so many ramifications for Lexington County Blowfish. The final week is guaranteed to end in a “blaze of glory” even with the final fireworks show planned for the regular-season home finale this Friday. After the last “Dog Day Wednesday” against the Forest CityContinue Reading
By Thomas Grant Jr. Chapin/Newberry Post 193/24 entered its Best-of-Three second-round American Legion baseball series with Richland Post 215 without homefield advantage. It stole it with a 7-5 win in Game 1 at A.C. Flora High School. The contest featured three ties and four lead changes. Chapin/Newberry took a 2-0Continue Reading
School District Five student-athletes had a successful 2023-2024. A number of athletes, coaches and teams from each high school in the district received state and region recognition in various areas. Chapin High School • Varsity Cheer named 5A State Champions • Taylor Graves named 5A Cheerleader of the Year •Continue Reading
By Thomas Grant, Jr. Lexington County Baseball Stadium was the site July 13 of the second annual softball game between the Michelin Plants #5 and #7. The charity contest, sponsored by the Lexington County Blowfish, raised $770 for the March of Dimes. The check was presented by Blowfish co-owner BillContinue Reading
By Thomas Grant, Jr. Former Lexington High School state champion Lauren Stephenson is now a tournament winner on the professional tour. The 27-year-old Stephenson won the Twin Bridges Championship on the Epson Tour this past weekend. Pulling away from a group tied for first place, Stephenson finished 1-over-par 72 toContinue Reading
By Thomas Grant Jr. It was three years ago when Will Taylor was selected in the 19th round of the Major League Baseball draft by the Texas Rangers. He was coming off a senior season at Dutch Fork High School where he led the program to another undefeated season andContinue Reading
Local fisherman Brian McLaughlin made quite a splash last weekend by reeling in a massive 65 lb. catfish at Santee. McLaughlin, who was fishing with Wayne Kanipe of K&K Printing, hooked the giant fish using cut bait in approximately 8 feet of water. McLaughlin, who owns Onesimus Venture Pressure WashingContinue Reading
By Thomas Grant Jr. With nine games remaining in the second half of the Coastal Plain League season, the Lexington County Blowfish find themselves in a two-way battle for first place. Standing in the way of the defending league champions returning to the post-season are the red-hot Martinsville Mustangs. EnteringContinue Reading
Local resident John Walker of Irmo recently made quite the splash when he reeled in a massive catch from a local pond. Using red worms as bait, Walker hooked what he describes as the biggest fish he’s ever caught in the area. Walker’s successful catch was made possible thanks toContinue Reading
By Thomas Grant Jr. It’s winning time at the “Fishbowl” in Lexington. With seven straight home victories, six during the second half of the Coastal Plain League season, the Lexington County Blowfish entered the All-Star Break in first place in the West Division. The turnaround from the 10-14 showing inContinue Reading
By Thomas Grant Jr. Perhaps playing before a large group of soldiers on Fort Jackson Night has inspired a turnaround for the Lexington County Blowfish. The defending Coastal Plain League champions have resembled a different team than the one which ended the first half schedule under .500. Since closing outContinue Reading
By Thomas Grant Jr. Call this week the “calm before the storm” in American Legion baseball. It’s a relatively light schedule for Lexington Post 7, West Columbia Post 79, and Chapin/Newberry Post 193/24. The three teams will play a combined three games all out of their respective leagues. The followingContinue Reading
Special to the Lake Murray News By Thomas Grant, Jr. June 15, 2024 – The Midlands Striper Club held the first of two summer tournaments at Clark’s Hill Lake, drawing 12 teams of enthusiastic anglers. The event was a remarkable success, yielding a total of 23 striped bass weighing inContinue Reading
By Thomas Grant Jr. Change is the theme round the Chapin High School football program. As refurbishments continue at Cecil Woolbright Field Stadium, the Eagles are beginning a new era at the head coaching position. After 14 seasons and close to 90 victories, Justin Gentry decided to retire as theContinue Reading
By Thomas Grant Jr. Chapin golfer Chase Cline won the South Carolina Golf Association’s 66th annual Junior Championship held June 11-13 at the Woodcreek Club in Elgin. He had a 3-day score of 3-under-par 213 to beat out Coleman Ferguson of Columbia and Bennett Scaletta of Belton each by oneContinue Reading