By MONTE DUTTON

In Pageland on Thursday night, Clinton was two outs away from a 14-1 victory over Central in the Red Devils’ second game of the Class 2A baseball playoffs. Instead, because a lively storm hit the Eagles’ cozy home diamond, the game reverted to the previous inning and the final score was 10-1.

Not bad, either way. Clinton (25-3) remains in the winners’ bracket and awaits a Monday home game against an opponent soon to be determined.

The only reason I know the final score is that I was listening on the radio, and I doubt Buddy Bridges and Harold Nichols concocted an ending because they were trying to get out before a steakhouse closed. That’s not the way they roll.

The gathering storm added a jet stream to Central’s already cozy diamond, which is an average of about 40 feet more shallow than Clinton’s spacious home.

Clinton scored five runs in the first inning, one in the second, one in the third and three in the fifth. The downpour cost William Addison a three-run homer (which would have been his second of the game), Tanner Finley a double and Luke Young a single.

The brothers Finley, Camden and Tanner, stopped Central (16-10), which had defeated Blacksburg, 18-4, in its first game, on five hits and a run.

Graydon Watkins also homered. Jaydon Glenn, Young and Addison all doubled before the deluge.

Bridges and Nichols described it all on WPCC-FM. Tanner Finley didn’t qualify for a save, but the local Farm Bureau insurance man got one by providing shelter to the broadcast crew. The Voice of the Red Devils, Bridges, knows how to network.

These things happen. Rain cost Barry Bonds, Hank Aaron and Babe Ruth homers, too. On the bright side, Tanner Finley threw 10 sixth-inning pitches that presumably don’t count against his pitch count. Officially, he hurled 23.

Central’s Colton Threatt opened the game by hitting Camden Finley, walking Jaydon Glenn and hitting Young. The first two runs scored on an error by catcher Cody Branham. Threatt also beaned Angel Vargas

Watkins’ three-run homer brought in Vargas and Addison, who had reached on a fielder’s choice.

Cohen Phillips singled in Central’s lone run with a one-out safety in the fourth inning.

Adjusted by rain, the Red Devils had 10 runs off nine hits and an error. Watkins and Vargas stole bases. Five pitchers did time for the Eagles.

Camden Finley pitched the first four innings, allowing a run, three hits and three walks. He fanned five.

Aidan Welch had two of Central’s four hits, all singles.

Dorchester Academy (10-14) brought Laurens Academy’s baseball season to a close with a 6-4 victory over the Crusaders in Saint George.

The Raiders scored three runs in the bottom of the fifth inning after LA (13-8) took a 4-3 edge with three in the top half.

Warren Judy’s three-run homer – he had two — was the difference.

Doubles by Caleb Hardy and Ethan Collins had put the Crusaders on top.

Clinton takes a 17-4 record into Friday’s softball game at Buford, which is in Lancaster, approximately 12 miles from Pageland and 76 from Clinton.

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