LEXINGTON — On June 9, Chapin-Newberry American Legion won their sixth game of the season.
It was a cool summer night at the new Blowfish Stadium in Lexington County, but the bats were hot for Chapin-Newberry scoring 12 runs on 12 hits.
Danton Hyman led off the top of the first with a single and quickly stole second base. Peyton Spangler walked. Hyman scored on a passed ball and Spangler scored on a dropped third strike making the scored 2-0 after one inning.
Andrew Livingston singled in the top of the second. Triston Smaltz and Hyman were hit by a pitch. A sac fly by Spangler scored Livingston. Ryan Stoudemire hit a line drive into left center field scoring Smaltz and Hyman.
Blake Smith, Zack Ziesing, Delshun Young each singled loading the bases for Livingston’s second bat of the inning. Two more runs scored as Livingston reached first on an error. The score after two was 8-0.
Two more runs were added in the top of the third and the top of the sixth. Chapin-Newberry closed the game out in seven with the score 12-0.
Tristan Smaltz was on the mound for Chapin-Newberry and pitched six scoreless innings. He faced 20 batters, issued one walk, struck out six and gave up three hits. He was relieved in the seventh by Trey Huber who closed out the game.
“It’s a true testament to this team to play all phases of the game the way they did and still have as much fun as they seem to be having out here,” said Coach Daniel Gregory. “I’m very proud of the team and the way they go about their business on the field.”
Gregory said the team was blessed with a bounty of arms and that that was just another display.
“The 12 runs will get headlines but the performance that Tristan Smaltz delivered tonight was masterful. He competed well and never left a doubt we wouldn’t come out victorious,” Gregory said.
Hitters for the game were Hyman 3-4 (2B); Stoudemire 2-3 (2B); Smith 2-4 (2B); Ziesing 2-2 (2B); Young 2-5; Livingston 1-5.
Chapin-Newberry opens the second half of the regular season next week sitting at the top of League 8 with a record of 6-0. Monday, June 15, Chapin-Newberry travels to West Columbia. On Tuesday, June 16 and Thursday June 18, they are at home against Orangeburg and Lexington.
The 2015 North Carolina vs. South Carolina Challenge begins Friday June 19 and ends Sunday June 21. Thanks to the efforts of the Chapin-Newberry Manager, Robert Livingston, and the great support for American Legion baseball in Newberry, Clinton, Mid-Carolina, Chapin and Dutch Fork communities, this annual tournament will be played at Newberry College for the first time.
The South Carolina teams (Greenwood, Newberry and Florence) will battle the North Carolina teams (Hendersonville, Shelby and Hickory) for bragging rights.