South Central baseball won its third Regional Championship in four years and the 17th overall in program history with a 8-4 win over host Edwards County in the Albion (Edwards County) 1A Regional on Saturday. After two scoreless innings to open the game, the Cougars took a big early lead in the top of the third inning. Max Magnus drew a leadoff walk and Callaway Smith reached base on an error before a bunt single from Trevan Sidwell loaded the bases. Colton Smith then doubled to left field, bringing in Magnus and courtesy runner Garrett Shumate for a 2-0 lead. After Maddox Robb reached base on an error to again load the bases, Coen West singled to centerfield to score Sidwell and a ground out from Brody Markley brought in another run for a 4-0 lead. With runners at second and third, Zane Montes grounded out to score courtesy runner Luke Shumate and push the Cougar lead to 5-0 at the end of the half inning. South Central would add on to their lead in the top of the fourth as a sacrifice fly from Co. Smith scored a Magnus for a 6-0 Cougar lead. The Lions would get their first run on the scoreboard in the bottom of the fourth inning to cut it to 6-1. After a scoreless fifth inning, South Central again extended their lead in the top of the sixth inning with a pair of runs. Co. Smith singled to score Magnus and a hit by pitch of Markley pushed the Cougars to a 8-1 lead. Cisne would add two runs of their own in the bottom of the sixth inning and after holding South Central scoreless in the top of the seventh, the Lions added one more in the bottom of the seventh, but the Cougars held on for the 8-4 win. Colton Smith would drive on four of South Central’s eight runs in the game, going 2-3 at the plate with 4 RBI. Callaway Smith got the in on the mound going six innings allowing four runs on six hits and striking out seven while walking five while Sidwell worked a scoreless inning in relief. South Central moves to 17-13-1 on the season and advances to their own South Central 1A Sectional where they will face Windsor/Stew-Stras in the first semifinal game on Wednesday at 4:30pm at Lions Field in Kinmundy. The two teams have met once this season, as the Cougars fell to the Hatchets, 7-6, back in April 30.
South Central Offense:
Callaway Smith – 1-5
Trevan Sidwell – 1-3, 2 BB, R
Colton Smith – 2-3, R, 4 RBI
Coen West – 1-3, RBI
Brody Markley – 2 RBI
Zane Montes – RBI
Evan Hoover – BB
Max Magnus – 2-3, BB, 3 R
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