Summer baseball in Chronicle Country has returned somewhat to normal this year.

A year ago, the Purple Martins and Bomb Island Bombers were opponents on the Lexington County Blowfish schedule. With the pandemic forcing Coastal Plain League teams like Florence to shut down, the Blowfish put together local college all-star teams to complete a 2020 schedule.

Things looked even dire on the high school summer baseball circuit as SC American Legion cancelled the season. Thanks to the efforts of Florence head coach Derick Urquhart and Lexington Post 7 team manager Michael Riefsynder, the SC American Baseball Summer League was created.

Fast forward to the 1st week in June and both the Blowfish and American Legion are now playing their usual summer schedules.

LEXINGTON COUNTY BLOWFISH

The Blowfish opened the 2020 regular season and Fico Kondla head coaching era on May 27 with a 5-2 victory over Coastal Plain League newcomer The Spartanburgers.

The next 2 games saw Lexington County fall 2-0 at the Savannah Bananas on May 28 and 8-6 in 10 innings to the Spartanburgers in the home opener the following night.

Both setbacks saw the Blowfish get strong pitching efforts. Game 2 starter CJ Czerwinski struck out 4 and allowed just 1 run in 6 1/3 innings of work and Dalton Mims of Airport High School and Tyler Brandt each struck out 6 batters in relief against the Spartanburgers in relief.

It was also a promising debut for Clemson pitcher and former Dutch Fork multi-sport state champion Ty Olenchuk. He was 1-3 with 4 runs scored this past Saturday.

Overall, the Blowfish struggled offensively with 13 strikeouts in each of the losses and managing just a combined 9 hits in both contests. They now embark on a 11-day, 10-game stretch starting Thursday in Savannah, Ga., looking to stay near the top of the West standings.

UPCOMING BLOWFISH GAMES

THURSDAY - at Savannah 7:05 pm

FRIDAY - SAVANNAH 7:05 pm

SATURDAY - at the Spartanburgers 7:05 pm

MONDAY - SAVANNAH 7:05 pm

TUESDAY - at Florence 7:05 pm

WEDNESDAY - at Macon 7:05 pm

AMERICAN LEGION

It was truly a summer to remember for West Columbia Post 79.

With head coach Dargan Lybrand and assistant coach Blake Rollins, West Columbia completed a “worst to 1st” storyline. They went from a losing campaign the year before to a 18-2-1 overall record and the league title.

With American Legion baseball fully reinstated, teams will now be able to compete for regional and national titles. This year’s state tournament is expected to include 8 teams at Segra Park.

Lybrand returns a young roster with returning talent from last year’s championship team. Among the key players back are pitchers Myles Hedgecock and Bryce Metts, shortstop Cameron Beckham, 1st baseman Reign Lybrand and catcher Dylan Johnson.

West Columbia will return to familiar home settings this season. It will play all home games at Brookland-Cayce High School.

UPCOMING LEGION GAMES

THURSDAY’S GAMES

Lexington vs. Chapin/Newberry 7 pm

TUESDAY’S GAMES

Camden at West Columbia 7 pm

Aiken at Lexington Post 7:30 pm

WEDNESDAY’S GAMES

Richland at Chapin/Newberry 7 pm

Lexington at Aiken 7:30 pm