By MONTE DUTTON

Sensations keep us going. They keep us ambling up stadium steps long after we’re capable of running them.

We remember how it feels, from a distance of decades, to lie on one’s back, the sun overhead, squinting, while raising the legs six inches … and holding them there.

I never played basketball at a higher level than college intramurals, but I remember what it was like, gathering in the cold on an asphalt court in a churchyard, to play full-court three-on-three.

It’s ridiculous in its way, that I watch a golf tournament on TV from Scotland, and imagine what it takes to get out of “a pot bunker.” In my golfing days, I wanted to buy a round of cool ones if I finished in double digits.

That’s the way I think, though. I’ve seen a lot.

Once a race driver took offense at a question offered by my friend and colleague, David Poole, by saying, “How can you ask that? Did you ever drive a race car?”

David replied, “No, but I’ve never died and I’ve written obituaries.”

He has since died, as do we all.

Most people know just enough to be dangerous. If they didn’t, they wouldn’t pay their way in.

Elton Pollock has coached baseball at Presbyterian College for 20 years.

As of Wednesday, pieces are in place for him to lead the Blue Hose for at least 10 more.

Pollock signed a 10-year contract extension, announced by Director of Athletics Dee Nichols. Pollock is a 1995 Presbyterian College graduate.
“Nothing makes me prouder than to know I will have the privilege of leading and representing my alma mater on the field in uniform for the next 10 years,” Pollock stated. “It is truly an honor, and I’d like to thank our president, Dr. Anita Gustafson, and Director of Athletics Dee Nichols for believing in me as we continue to move the program forward.”

The team achieved historic success in the season recently completed, capturing the Big South regular-season title for the first time. Pollock was honored as Big South Coach of the Year.

Over his career at Presbyterian, Pollock has coached players who have collectively earned 35 All-Big South selections.

Pollock collected his 400th career win this year. He guided the Blue Hose to the Big South Tournament title and a berth in the NCAA Tournament in 2021.
Once upon a time, the Milwaukee Braves had a slogan: “Spahn and Sain and two days of rain.”

In the American Legion baseball playoffs on Wednesday, it was Lexington (which defeated Golden Strip, 14-8) and Camden (beat Greenwood, 11-2) and rain in Richland County, where that post’s game three versus Chapin-Newberry was postponed until Thursday at 5 p.m.

As a result, only Chapin-Newberry remains alive among the Senior Legion teams with county connections.

Golden Strip Post 271 (9-5) and Lexington Post 7 combined for 28 hits, 14 apiece, but the visitors made the best of theirs – and the Warriors committed three errors.

Thus was the final score, 14-8, deceptive. Lexington scored eight runs in the sixth inning.

Laurens’ Ben Willis went 3/4 and stole a base.

Two-way teammates Bennett Edwards, Asher Goss, Hunter Nabors and Owen Pridgen each had two hits. Edwards homered. Goss, Nabors and Pridgen doubled.

Goss started on the mound and took the losses. Edwards, Willis and Nabors all worked later shifts.

Lincoln Hill went 4/4 with a double, two runs scored and two batted in. Cromer, identified only as B on the roster, ripped both a triple and a homer.

The news from Camden was similarly disappointing.

No sooner had Greenwood Post 20 (8-13) tied the score with a run in the top of the fifth inning when Camden Post 17 put the game away with eight in the bottom half. Thus was the final score 11-2.

Similar to what was occurring in Simpsonville, both teams collected nine hits. All nine of Greenwood’s were singles. Four of Camden’s went for extra bases. All of them, a double and a homer apiece, were by Carson Weathers and Zach Haney.

Ex-Raiders Jaedon Goodwin and Jackson Martin were a combined 1/8. Brandon Hershberger, also the losing pitcher, led the Braves with three hits.

John Rollings pitched a complete game for the victors.

As football season approaches – and, let’s be real, the free memory is dwindling – I expect to streamline the site name. Since the coverage – Furman and Laurens County – is difficult to convey in a word, I may stick with Wellpilgrim (com, net, et al.). Or, if anyone thinks of anything snazzy, I’ll take it under advisement.

A shorter name makes it more likely that readers go directly to the site without linking through social media (not that there’s anything wrong with that).

Advertising alone will not keep me going, but there’s room for a few more. Every ad is inset in every story.

Support the advertisers. They are all fine people who appreciate my attempts to restore coverage of local sports. They are dependable, and not too long ago, I sold a couple ads to folks who weren’t. I am thus cautious.

I rely on readers who like the coverage I provide to make contributions. Several ways work.

Please donate whatever you consider appropriate via Venmo at DHK Sports. You may also reach me by mail at 11185 Highway 56 North, Clinton  29325.

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