A decisive Game 3 for the S.C. High School League Class 5A baseball title took place this past Friday at Segra Park between Blythewood and Dutch Fork.

The two schools had split their first 2 games in pursuit of its first-ever state championship. In the case of Bengals’ head coach Banks Faulkner, he was seeking his 4th after winning as a player (1999) and assistant coach (2013) at Lexington High School and leading Summer-ville in 2016.

In the deciding game, the Silver Foxes clamped down defensively, winning a 2-1 pitcher’s duel to claim the trophy.

A rowdy crowd estimated over 4,000 fans jammed into Segra Park to see the contest. Both sides were amped up and ready to go as the first pitch was fired just after 7 pm.

Dutch Fork took an early 1-0 lead as Noah Jackson scored on a passed ball in the top 2nd. Blythewood came right back in the bottom half, scoring a run on an errant pick-off throw to second base.

The Silver Foxes broke the tie in the top 4th as Crosby Jones scored Jackson with an RBI single.

Both pitching staffs settled in the rest of the game. Kevin Steelman came on to pitch for Blythewood with 2 on and 2 outs in the 5th, recording a big strikeout to end the inning.

Dutch Fork starter Doug Webb was also pulled in the 5th inning, giving way to Sam Hatcher. Hatcher closed the door in the 5th with a 3-pitch at bat, inducing a ground ball to the first baseman that retired the Blythewood threat.

Blythewood threatened again in the 6th, but Hatcher would remain unscathed and finished with 2 1/3 scoreless innings of relief.

“We’re battle tested from the conference we’re in,” Dutch Fork head coach Casey Waites told reporters after the game. The Silver Foxes were 6-0 in elimination games this postseason. “I’ve had a blast in the playoffs,” Waites said after his ice bath courtesy of his players. “My stress level was high just trying to make the playoffs. So this was a lot of fun.”

“It means so much to us because nobody in the state thought we could do it,” an elated Hatcher said after the game. “We don’t give up, we’re relentless.”