High school sports, May 7: Seahawks advance to Lower State baseball tourney

Troy Clifford and Carmen Mlodzinski drove home three runs apiece as Hilton Head Island earned its first berth in the Class 3-A Lower State baseball tournament since 2010, outlasting Gilbert 9-8 in Friday night’s District 5 final.

The Seahawks scored four runs in the first inning, with Clifford driving home three, and led 9-4 before holding back a Gilbert rally in the seventh. It marked the second time this week that Hilton Head Island, seeded fourth in the district bracket, had upended the top-seeded Indians.

Hilton Head Island will open Lower State play Monday at home against Berkeley.

Mlodzinski and Ian Foggo each collected two hits, while Bryce Singleton and Tad Zmarzly each went 1-for-2. Foggo also combined with Andy Lively and Logan Toomer on the mound to keep Gilbert’s offense in check.

SOFTBALL

Hartsville 2, Beaufort 1: Mary Claire Sumner went the distance without giving up an earned run, but the Eagles couldn’t find enough hits to avoid elimination from the Class 3-A softball tournament.

Sumner also had one of Beaufort’s four singles, along with Savannah Mullen, Rebekah Heape and Essence Champion.

SOCCER

SCISA brackets set: Beaufort Academy’s boys and Hilton Head Prep’s girls were given top seeds on one side of the SCISA 2-A brackets as matchups were set for this week’s tournaments.

The BA boys will host Monday’s opening game against The King’s Academy. Hilton Head Prep is on the other side of the bracket, with an Monday road trip to Trinity-Byrnes.

The Dolphins’ girls, who went unbeaten in region play, will begin their playoff journey Tuesday at home against Coastal Christian. Hilton Head Christian is a No. 2 seed on the other side, opening at home against The King’s Academy.

This story was originally published May 7, 2016 at 9:27 AM with the headline "High school sports, May 7: Seahawks advance to Lower State baseball tourney."