River Bluff opens baseball postseason with 10-0 rout of Wando

A season ago, River Bluff went winless in two games in the Class 4A baseball playoffs. It was looking to reverse its fortunes Wednesday, in the opening game of the District VI playoffs against defending state champion Wando.

It didn’t take the No. 1 seeded Gators long as they hammered the visitors 10-0 in a game called after five innings because of the mercy rule.

It was a far cry from a season ago when River Bluff lost twice on its home field. Coach Mark Bonnette said a fast start was a key against the Warriors.

“Very pleased with our guy’s effort,” he said. “They came out ready to play. Going out in top of first and getting that zero on the board was big for us. We’re an offensive club and once we get a little something going, it’s tough. Our lineup can hit.”

River Bluff (22-3) pounded out 11 hits in four innings and used a big seven-run third inning to end any suspense. All seven runs came with two outs and the bottom of the lineup sparked the rally.

Will Bradford, Stephen Kight, Ryan Reynolds and Trayce Bouknight – the Gators No. 6, 7, 8 and 9 hitters – combined for four hits, four walks and seven runs scored.

The rally began after Wando center fielder Peter Brown gunned down a runner at the plate for the second out of the inning on a single by Bradford.

Kight and Reynolds followed with walks to load the bases and Bouknight hit a two-run single. Walker McDowell, who went 3-for-3 with 3 RBIs, followed with a two-run single. Patrick Manley had an RBI double before Aaron Adams hit a two-run home run to left field.

“I thought seven, eight and nine for us turned the lineup over,” Bonnette said. “Got a big two-out knock by Trayce Bouknight to keep that inning going. Everybody likes to talk about the top of our order but the bottom of the order was big tonight.”

McDowell knew the Gators had the ability to hit 1-9 and it was good to see it happen in a playoff atmosphere.

“It feels good to get this one at home early,” the junior shortstop said. “It gives us momentum going into Saturday. We pitched good, played good defense and hit the ball. Our seven, eight and nine hitters came through big for us. We feel like we’re in a good position.”

McDowell also thought the Gators made starting pitcher Kaden Hack pay for his mistakes.

“We knew he was going to have a good curveball but he made some mistakes over the plate early and we took advantage of it,” he said. “He left some fastballs over the plate in that big inning.”

The run support was more than enough for right-hander Brandon Tillmon. The Liberty signee scattered five hits over five innings with three strikes and no walks. Being able to work ahead in the count was key to his success according to Bonnette.

“Brandon was very efficient,” Bonnette said. “He threw strikes and had good stuff. He struggled early with his breaking ball but located his fastball in and out.”

River Bluff will host the winner of Summerville and Sumter on Saturday at 1 p.m.

This story was originally published April 27, 2016 at 10:29 PM with the headline "River Bluff opens baseball postseason with 10-0 rout of Wando."