High school sports, May 4: Rebels split opening SCISA playoff doubleheader

Blake Bannon struck out eight on the way to throwing a two-hitter, allowing a pair of early Thomas Heyward runs to stand up in a 2-0 victory over Trinity-Byrnes in the opener of their first-round SCISA Class 2-A baseball playoff matchup.

The Rebels, though, dropped a 9-2 decision in the second game of the doubleheader to force a deciding contest at Trinity-Byrnes. Seven of the Titans’ runs were unearned, the byproduct of seven Thomas Heyward errors.

Harrison Wall drove home two of the Rebels’ four runs in the doubleheader, including an RBI double to plate the first run of the opener. He went 3-for-6 over the two-game set along with Conner Driscoll, who scored once in each contest.

John Paul II ousted in playoff debut: The Golden Warriors drew the defending SCISA Class 1-A champions for their playoff opener, bowing in two games to Holly Hill Academy.

JP2 lost the opener 7-1, limited to hits from Mark Tigges, Thomas Kender and Nate Dardes. Holly Hill finished off the series with a 12-2 decision, as Jack Jolley and Josh Brenner collected JP2 hits.

BOYS’ SOCCER

Bluffton 4, Carolina Forest 0: Brenden Kelly scored twice as the Bobcats collected their 20th win of the season to open their run in the Class 4-A playoffs.

Kelly opened the scoring 8 minutes before halftime, taking advantage of a goalkeeper error to dribble around and slot the ball into the net. Josue Solis headed home a corner kick in the 61st minute for a 2-0 lead, and D.J. Chappelear and Kelly scored late goals 2 minutes apart to seal the outcome.

Buffton (20-1-1) will host a second-round match Thursday against South Aiken.

Hilton Head Prep 4, Hilton Head Christian 0: Waddy Brooks scored a pair of first-half goals and goalkeeper Jack Braun posted the shutout as the Dolphins clinched a berth in next week’s SCISA Class 2-A playoffs.

Ben Pellucci added a goal for Prep (9-5-1) and Mac Orie completed the scoring with a second-half tally.

John Paul II 7, Bible Baptist 0: Karl Johnson scored three goals as the Golden Warriors finished their first varsity season on a three-game winning streak.

Sebastian Zimbron added a goal and two assists, while Elijah Moreno and Hunter Burton each had a goal and an assist. Josue Hurtado rounded out the Golden Warriors’ scoring.

Hilton Head Island 5, Airport 2: The Seahawks cruised to their 13th consecutive victory to book passage to the second round of the Class 3-A playoffs. Next up is a Thursday home match against Wilson.

Aiken 2, Beaufort 0: The Eagles surrendered two goals in the final 15 minutes to make an early exit from the Class 3-A playoffs.

GIRLS’ SOCCER

Hilton Head Prep 2, Hilton Head Christian 1: Charlotte Covington and Cori Leonard scored as the Dolphins finished off an unbeaten region record and await next week’s SCISA Class 2-A tournament.

BOYS’ GOLF

Bluffton captures region crown: Alec Weary followed up a 4-over-par 76 with a 73 in leading the Bobcats to a 21-stroke victory at Summerville’s Legend Oaks Golf Club.

Drew Weary carded a pair of 77s for the Bobcats, Brandon McBride posted 76-81 and Chase Ingram turned in rounds of 80-79.

Prep lands two on SCISA All-State: Christian Garruppo and Aidan McCloskey, who helped Hilton Head Prep end Hilton Head Christian’s three-year reign atop the SCISA Class 2-A tournament, were named to the association’s 14-man All-State team.

HHCA’s Danny Azallion also made the roster, which is made up of the top performers in all three SCISA divisions.

This story was originally published May 4, 2016 at 10:24 AM with the headline "High school sports, May 4: Rebels split opening SCISA playoff doubleheader."