JUSTIN HALL

The Lexington County Blowfish continued their second half slide this past week, picking up just one win.

Injuries have been the key storyline since the calendar flipped to July. The Blowfish just have not been able to recover, specifically in their pitching staff, and continue the positive momentum they had just a few weeks ago.

This past week’s losses included a doubleheader sweep at the hands of the Florence RedWolves, a 10-7 loss in Savannah, followed by a home loss to the Bananas the next night and then a 7-5 loss in Macon.

“We just have to keep putting ourselves in position to win,” head coach Marshall Mc-Donald stated. “We’ve been that team all year that continues to fight throughout the game, but just haven’t been able to seal the deal.”

Lexington County did have one bright moment in the past week. Last Wednesday, the Blowfish defeated the Fayetteville Swampdogs 9-0.

It was the first shutout win since July of 2017 and the first shutout win at Lexington County Baseball Stadium since a 2015 win over the RedWolves.

Michael Green of Clemson launched a single-game club record 3 solo home runs and Ian Jenkins added a 3-run homer to propel the Blowfish offense.

Coastal Plain League Pitcher of the Week Jared Drayton pitched a gem as well, going 6 innings, while only allowing three hits and striking out 6 Swampdog batters.

“I’d say it was our most complete performance of the season both on the mound and at the plate,” McDonald said. “It was a great team win, but the performances from Drayton and Green were fun to watch.”

It was also Green’s final game in a Blowfish uniform, as nagging injuries forced him to be shut down for the remainder of the summer. He became the only Blowfish in club history to hit a home run in his first at bat and in his last at-bat.

With this past Monday’s 12-2 loss to Fayetteville, Lexington County was officially eliminated from playoff contention. However, both the team and players still have much to play for.

The team is three home runs away from setting the single season team home run record at 33. Houston Wright is also 3 home runs away from tying the single-season individual home run record of 11.

Both Drayton and Shane Connolly are set to start on the mound for the final two games of the season Friday at Gastonia and Saturday at home against Florence as Lexington County looks to end the 2019 season on a high note.

In addition, the team will conclude its auctioning of “Fair-themed” jerseys worn this season. The proceeds from the auction will go to the South Carolina State Fair Scholarship Program.

We will have a full Coaches Corner season wrap-up in next week’s edition.