High school playoffs recap

The Bishop England baseball team enters Wednesday’s Class AAA Lower State Championship against Aynor with an 11-game winning streak, some rested pitching arms and confidence.

The Bishops host Aynor at Father Kelly Field and the visiting Blue Jackets have a tough chore. They must beat the Bishops two times Wednesday night to remain alive. The Bishops have to win only one game to advance to the Class AAA State Championship Series, which commences Saturday.

Bishop England coach Mike Darnell plans to stay the course as his team prepped for the showdown and aims for its first state title since 2011.

What does he tell his team?

“Probably nothing different than we have talked about before every game,” Darnell said. “Pitching and defense...try to put pressure on the other defense. We (coaches) really try to get out of the way once playoffs start.”

The Bishops haven’t lost since they dropped a 3-2 decision against Class AAAAA foe Fort Dorchester in mid-April in the Hanahan Invitational Tournament. The Bishop pitchers have been very effective in the postseason, allowing only nine runs (eight earned) in five games.

Darnell is pleased – but not surprised – by his hurlers.

“We knew we had a bunch of arms coming back and thought a few of them have a chance to be special,” he said.

Aynor defeated Lake City 4-2 in eight innings Monday night in an elimination game to remain alive and set up the showdown against Bishop England. Aynor enters Wednesday’s game with a 19-10 record.

The Bishops, perched in the winner’s bracket, didn’t have to play a game Monday and have their pitching staff rested and ready.

“We plan on taking the same approach as if it were one game...throwing the guy who is up next in the rotation with the same guys coming out of the bullpen,” Darnell said. “Not having to play the extra game (Monday) gives us everyone available for Wednesday.”

The state championship series will begin Saturday at the Upper State winner’s field. Game 2 will be played at the Lower State winner’s field on Tuesday. Game 3, if necessary, will be played at a neutral site on May 20.

TENNIS

The Hanahan and Bishop England boys’ tennis teams will play Wednesday in the Class AAA Lower State championship.

Bishop England advanced with a 6-0 victory over Brookland-Cayce Monday night. The Bishops, who received a first-round bye, beat Bluffton 6-0 in the second round.

Hanahan also received a first-round bye. The Hawks beat Gilbert in the second round and advanced to face the Bishops with a 5-0 victory over Waccamaw.

SOCCER

The Bishop England girls’ soccer team’s season came to an end Monday night with a 2-1 defeat at Brookland-Cayce in the Class AAA Lower State championship.

The Bishops, who won the Class AA state title last May, entered the match with a six-game winning streak and had won 10 of their last 11 matches. They closed the season with a 15-6-1 record.

Meanwhile, the Bishop boys’ team was scheduled to play at Bluffton Tuesday night in the Lower State championship.

The Bishops entered the showdown with a 16-game winning streak after dropping their first two matches of the season.

Daniel Island Publishing

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