Lexington High baseball state championship series on hold. Here’s what we know
The Class 5A baseball state championship series will not begin as planned.
The South Carolina High School League confirmed late Friday that the series is “postponed until further notice.”
Lexington High was supposed to host Game 1 of the championship series on Saturday. But the S.C. High School League ruled Friday that Summerville must forfeit Thursday’s 6-4 win over Ashley Ridge.
“Due to the participation of an ineligible player, Summerville High School is required to forfeit its Thursday, May 16, 2024, contest versus Ashley Ridge High School,” the SCHSL said in a statement released just before 5 p.m. Friday. “Summerville High School has requested an appeal, thus forcing the postponement of the State Finals.”
Summerville’s appeal to the SCHSL executive committee will take place at 10 a.m. in a meeting Tuesday, the league announced Monday. If the Green Wave get denied, they can appeal that decision to the league’s appellate panel (in a meeting that would likely happen Wednesday). If both meetings occur, the start of the championship series won’t take place until late next week.
Lexington High’s graduation ceremony is scheduled for Wednesday, May 22. Graduations for Summerville and Ashley Ridge are set for Saturday, May 25.
Depending on the outcome of rulings, Lexington baseball coach Brian Hucks told The State that the best-of-three series could be held Thursday, Sunday and Monday.
Game three, if necessary, would be a neutral-site game held at Airport High School.
What happpened?
Summerville’s Thayer Tavormina threw two pitches on Wednesday night and then 83 on Thursday. According to SCHSL rules, if a pitcher throws consecutive days he has a maximum of 75 pitches on the second day no matter how many pitches he had on the first day. If he goes over that limit, it’s an automatic forfeit, according to the rules.
Ashley Ridge’s Ethan Lopez also pitched back-to-back days. Lopez threw 23 pitches on Wednesday and then 71 on Thursday. AR pulled Lopez out of the game because he was at the pitch-count limit with a 4-1 lead.
This is the first year for this rule. Previously, if a pitcher threw less than 30 pitches he could throw 110 pitches the following day. The rule was approved by the S.C. Baseball Coaches Association.
Ashley Ridge defeated Summerville, 7-6, on Wednesday to force a deciding game. Normally, that game is played the same day but was moved to Thursday because of weather. If it had been played on same night, a pitcher would have been allowed to throw 110 pitches either in one game or combined for the two games.
If they make it to the championship, Ashley Ridge will be the only team to do so with a losing record. The Swamp Foxes are 14-18 on the year.
Lexington earned its championship spot by defeating Dorman, 5-2, on Wednesday.
It is Lexington’s 13th state championship appearance and first since winning it all in a memorable series with Blythewood back in 2013. The Wildcats will be looking for the program’s seventh state championship.
“We have dealt with adversity all year. Nothing new for my club. Just the next chapter in the book,” Hucks posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday night.
SCHSL Playoff Schedule
Class 5A
Wednesday
Upper State
Lexington 5, Dorman 2
Lower State
Ashley Ridge 5, Summerville 4
Thursday
Lower State
Summerville 6, Ashley Ridge 4 (Awaiting SCHSL ruling for Summerville’s pitch-count violation)
Class 4A
Best-of-3 State Championship Series
Laurens vs. James Island
Monday: Laurens at James Island
Wednesday: James Island at Laurens
Friday: Laurens vs. James Island at neutral site if necessary
Class 3A
Best-of-3 State Championship Series
Powdersville vs. Hanahan
Monday: Powdersville at Hanahan, 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday: Hanahan at Powdersville
May 25: Powdersville vs. Hanahan at neutral site, if necessary
Class 2A
Best-of-3 Championship Series
Mid-Carolina vs. Oceanside Collegiate
Monday: Mid-Carolina vs. Oceanside at The Shipyard, 6 p.m.
Wednesday: Oceanside at Mid-Carolina, 6 p.m.
May 25: Mid-Carolina vs. Oceanside at neutral site, if necessary
Class A
Best of 3 Championship Series
Latta vs. Southside Christian
Monday: Southside Christian at Latta, 6 p.m.
Tuesday: Latta at Southside Christian
May 25: Latta vs. Southside Christian at neutral site, if necessary
This story was originally published May 17, 2024 at 3:52 PM.
