COLUMBIA – The Midlands STEM Charter School’s baseball team found the win column for the first time this season on Monday, putting together an offensive masterclass to defeat the Keenan Raiders 18-8 on the road at Keenan High School.
The Mavericks leaned on plate discipline and aggressive base running to secure the milestone victory. Midlands STEM drew a 16 walks throughout the contest, with Colton Comer and Bentley Kersey leading the charge with three walks each.
The scoring barrage began immediately in the top of the first inning. Displaying a strong eye at the plate, the Mavericks plated four runs behind walks from Comer, Demond Wilson, and Kersey, followed by a hit-by-pitch from Jeremy Trapp.
Midlands STEM broke the game open in the second inning, scoring six more runs to extend their early lead. Jake Younts, Wilson, Kersey, Trapp, Aiden Watkins, and Kane Allen all earned RBIs during the frame through a combination of walks and hit batters. By the third inning, the Mavericks added two more runs to their total, fueled by another walk from Wilson and a hit-by-pitch from Nate Winchester.
The Mavericks swiped nine total bases. Comer and Allen both recorded multiple steals to keep constant pressure on the Keenan defense.
Comer earned the start on the mound for Midlands STEM, delivering a solid performance. Over three and two-thirds innings, Comer struck out seven batters and allowed only one walk. Leahman Knotts appeared in relief to help seal the win.
Offensively, Knotts, Trapp, Watkins, and Kersey each tallied an RBI in the balanced team effort.
Keenan’s Geno Saxon and Max Ketcherside each drove in a run for the Raiders, who remained disciplined in the field by committing zero errors during the game.
Now carrying the momentum of their first win, the Midlands STEM Mavericks will look to start a winning streak as they travel to take on the McBee Varsity Panthers this Friday for a double header starting at 6 p.m.
MSCS – 4-6-4-4-0-X-X – 18-4-8
KHS – 3-2-0-2-1-X-X – 8-5-0
WP: Comer 3.2IP. 4H. 7R. 2ER. 1BB. 7K.
M – Allen 1-4, BB. Knotts 2-4, RBI. Younts 1-3, BB. Kersey 3BB, RBI. Trapp 2BB, RBI. Watkins 2BB, RBI.
K – Saxon 2-3, 3B, RBI. Ketch 1-2, RBI, BB. Johnson 1-3. Simpson 1-3.