Here's how Pee Dee Academy broke open Thursday's playoff game for 15-3 win (copy)
MULLINS, S.C. − Few words were needed from Pee Dee coach Danny Barker after his team's 4-1 lead over Florence Christian was trimmed to 4-3 in the top of the fourth.
But what he said certainly resonated.
Pee Dee Academy's Tristan Heckman (2) is greeted at home plate by teammate Briggs Jones after leading off the bottom of the first with a home run against Florence Christian on Thursday.
"Gotta answer! Have to answer!" he yelled.
The Golden Eagles' response even surprised Barker when they scored 11 to seal a 15-3 win and advance to the SCISA 3A upper-bracket semifinals. PDA was scheduled to play at Greenwood Christian -- a team that won 6-3 in a meeting earlier this week − on Monday for the right to face Calhoun Academy in the upper bracket's final round.
Barker just wanted some kind of offensive momentum to build in the fourth.
"It wouldn't have mattered if we scored 1 or 2 runs; we needed to answer," Barker said. "But we ended up batting around, which was a good thing for us. I was very pleased; it was much more than I thought it would be."
Fifteen PDA batters stepped to the plate during that pivotal fourth inning, and it included a two-run single by Tristan Heckman. He also led off the bottom of the first with a home run.
Also in that inning, FCS committed 4 errors, 4 walks, a wild pitch and 2 passed balls. The Eagles committed six errors for the game.
"The coaches just told us to keep it on the ball, move the runners over and make the other team make mistakes," Heckman said. "And good things will happen."
PDA teammate Gage Elliott finished 3 for 3 with a double and 3 RBIs, followed by Neal Byrd (2 for 2, RBI), and Holden Lane had a double and RBI.
As the Golden Eagles (13-7) prepare for Monday's rematch against Greenwood Christian, Barker said he likes his team's vibe.
"I think tonight shows we're getting to be in a good spot because we had struggled with that earlier in the season," Barker said. "We would be hot early and then struggle. But I like that we were able to answer tonight."
There were no Golden Eagle struggles during that fourth inning.
"I want us to keep swinging the bats like we've been doing," Barker said. "We went through a stretch where we weren't swinging. But last night and tonight were probably our two best games yet."
Heckman agrees.
"Just keep hitting the ball," he said. "Our bats have been hot. As long as our bats are hot and we limit our errors, I think we'll be all right."
William Hicks' RBI single gave FCS (13-6) a 1-0 lead in the first. And in the top of the fourth, Layton Alexander hit a two-run double to bring FCS within 4-3. Teammates Hayden Johnson and Wyatt Clark each finished 2 for 2, and Jaxon Nealy doubled.
Pee Dee Academy won 15-3 on Thursday over Florence Christian.
