News Summary
The South Florence Bruins secured a spot in the SCHSL 4A Lower State finals after defeating Beaufort 9-3 in the semifinals at Bruin Field. This triumph marks their second finals appearance in three years and brings their season record to 20 wins and 10 losses. Coach Kenny Gray praised the team’s resilience, noting their unexpected success as they prepare for a championship series against Airport in a best-of-three format. The series begins next week with a promising match-up ahead.
South Florence is set to compete in the SCHSL 4A Lower State finals after a solid performance against Beaufort, securing a 9-3 victory in the semifinals held at Bruin Field. This marks the sixth-seeded Bruins’ second appearance in the finals in three years, enhancing their season record to 20 wins and 10 losses.
The championship series will be a best-of-three format against Airport, which is scheduled to kick off next week. The first game will take place on Tuesday at Airport’s home field, while Game 2 will be hosted at South Florence on Thursday. Should the series extend, Game 3 will be held back at Airport the following Saturday.
Coach Kenny Gray emphasized the team’s unexpected success, highlighting that many did not anticipate South Florence making it to the final four. The Bruins demonstrated their resilience and tactical execution during their semifinal match against Beaufort. South Florence jumped to an early lead, establishing a 3-0 advantage in the first inning, aided by key hits and an error from the opposition.
Khalon McGee led off the game with a double, paving the way for Brayden Robinson to drive him home with a single. This momentum continued as an error allowed the second run, and Jesús Johnson’s groundout contributed to the score. The Bruins extended their lead to 4-0 in the fourth inning with another impactful single from Robinson.
Beaufort fought back, narrowing the gap to 4-2 in the sixth inning after rallying to score two runs, including a notable double from Dylan Rast. However, South Florence’s reliever, Chance Caulder, effectively halted Beaufort’s momentum by striking out two batters after they loaded the bases, showcasing the teamwork essential for this critical juncture.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, the Bruins capitalized on their own bases-loaded situation, resulting in a run scored from a fielder’s choice and a three-run double by Cohen Springs, significantly boosting their lead to 9-2. Springs’ performance was particularly striking, as he notched three RBIs and a stolen base during the game.
Landon Hill emerged as the winning pitcher for South Florence, delivering an impressive 5.1 innings, allowing just two earned runs from seven hits. The Bruins showcased a powerful offensive capability, accumulating a total of 13 hits in the game, the highest count since last season. South Florence has shown remarkable improvement, winning five of their last six games and averaging only 3.2 runs allowed in that span. With their current success, the Bruins look poised for a strong performance in the upcoming championship series.
Beaufort concluded the game with a record of 17-15 following their loss, as they were unable to overcome South Florence’s effective offense and reliable pitching. With the finals on the horizon, the Bruins are preparing for what promises to be a thrilling championship series against Airport.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
South Florence Bruins Dominate May River in Playoff Opener
Francis Marion University Receives Grant for Summer Success Program
South Carolina High School Basketball Playoffs Kickoff
Francis Marion University Celebrates Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Johnsonville Celebrates Conservation of Snow’s Island
South Florence High School Wins 4A State Championship
Community Unites for Kindness Always Wins Volleyball Match
Oceanside Collegiate and Dutch Fork Win State Football Championships
Additional Resources
- MaxPreps: South Florence Turns Things Around
- The State: High School Sports
- Greenville Online: SC High School Baseball Playoffs
- MaxPreps: South Florence Picks Up Fourth Consecutive Win
- SC Now: High School Baseball
- Wikipedia: High School Athletics in the United States
- Google Search: SC High School Baseball
- Google Scholar: High School Baseball
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Baseball
- Google News: South Florence Baseball
Author: STAFF HERE FLORENCE WRITER
FLORENCE STAFF WRITER The FLORENCE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREFlorence.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Florence, Florence County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Florence Festival of Lights, Pee Dee Pride, and agricultural expos at the Florence Center. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Florence Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Pee Dee Area Council of Governments, plus leading businesses in healthcare and retail that power the local economy such as McLeod Health and Pee Dee Electric Cooperative. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECharleston.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGreenville.com, and HEREHiltonHead.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
