News Summary
Richland Post 215 secured the South Carolina American Legion baseball state championship with a 4-1 victory over Florence Post 1. Held at AC Flora High School, this win marks Richland’s first title since 2007. Following a lightning delay, Richland maintained its lead, scoring four runs while shutting out Florence, securing their place in the upcoming Southeast Regional. Coach Chris Dorsey praised the team’s dedication and effort throughout the season. The championship reflects the progress of the program after a strong performance in the state tournament and positions Richland well for future challenges.
Columbia, South Carolina – Richland Post 215 clinched the South Carolina American Legion baseball state championship with a decisive 4-1 victory over Florence Post 1 on Thursday night. This win, secured at AC Flora High School after a lightning delay shifted the game from Founders Park, marks the first state championship for Richland since 2007.
The championship game started shortly after 7 p.m. but was pushed close to midnight due to interruptions. Richland began the game confidently, leading 3-0 at the time of the delay, and managed to add an additional run in the seventh inning once play resumed. Florence managed to score one run in the bottom of the seventh, but it was not enough to overturn Richland’s strong lead.
Both teams will now advance to the Southeast Regional tournament scheduled in Asheboro, North Carolina, beginning on August 6. The eventual winner of this regional tournament will earn a spot in the prestigious American Legion World Series in Shelby, NC, taking place from August 14-19.
This championship title for Richland is particularly notable as it represents the second consecutive year a Midlands team has won the state title, following Camden Post 17’s victory in 2022. Richland Post 215 has shown remarkable improvement under the leadership of Coach Chris Dorsey, who revitalized the program in 2022. This summer, Richland finished the league play with an impressive record of 9-3, ultimately claiming the League 3 title and exhibiting a strong performance throughout the state tournament with a record of 6-1.
In the championship game, Richland’s offensive efforts were highlighted by Tyler Hernandez, who contributed two RBIs, while Roper Wentzky added one RBI. The pitching discipline was also commendable, with Sam McCutcheon earning the win for Richland and Hank Collins securing a save. Collins was acknowledged as the tournament’s Most Outstanding Pitcher, having garnered a win and a save over the course of 5 2/3 innings.
Zach Snead was honored with the tournament’s MVP award for his standout performance, hitting .412, scoring eight runs, and registering three RBIs throughout the tournament. In contrast, Florence Post 1, which has won six state titles since 2012, reached the championship after defeating Camden Post 17 earlier that day.
Coach Chris Dorsey expressed pride in his team’s ability to self-manage and exert effort throughout the season and during the championship game. The organization’s growth has been a testament to the players’ dedication and hard work.
The win is not just a victory but also a stepping stone for Richland Post 215 as they prepare to face new challenges in the regional tournament. The team and its supporters are leaping into this next phase with enthusiasm and belief, indicating a bright future ahead.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Florence Post 1 Advances in American Legion Baseball Tournament
Scheffler Leads The Open Championship as Local Teams Compete
Additional Resources
- Cola Daily: Richland Post 215 Wins American Legion Seniors Title
- The State: High School Sports News
- Cola Daily: Founders Park to Hold SC American Legion Final
- Google Search: American Legion Baseball
- The Columbia Star: Dorsey Building a Foundation at Post 215
- Wikipedia: American Legion Baseball
Author: STAFF HERE FLORENCE 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.
