By MONTE DUTTON
We had a partial eclipse. I knew something weird would happen, especially since it was my birthday.
The approaching eclipse prevented my truck from starting in front of Sadler-Hughes Apothecary. Little Walt (Hughes) fetched his truck and jumped me off. I took it to Clinton Tire — because it was time to get it serviced anyway — and nothing wrong was discovered in spite of intense analysis.
At the moment, all is well. As of a few hours ago, it cranks right up, and it’s fortified by brand-new oil.
School dismissed early. Someone at Clinton Tire said there were “liability issues.” I expect liability issues are why people play cornhole instead of horseshoes nowadays.
I posed the question on Facebook if anyone out there in Social Media Land had ever personally known someone blinded by an eclipse. An old friend posted “Manfred Mann,” who sang he was “blinded by the light.” I doubt he actually knows Manfred Mann, but I laughed.
Catcher Bennett Edwards had a splendid Monday evening, but otherwise, it was an exercise in frustration for the Laurens Raiders, who fell to Riverside, 10-5, in Greer.
Edwards went 3/4 – two of the three hits were doubles – and drove in a run. Laurens (13-4, 5-2 Region 2-4A) outhit the Warriors 11-9, but Riverside’s hits were more timely.
Riverside (9-6, 5-2) broke on top with three runs in the first inning and one in the second, but the Raiders tied it with four in the top of the third.
After Hunter Nabors was hit by a pitch, Edwards doubled to right field, advancing Nabors to third base. Ben Willis was beaned, as well, to load the bases. Coleman Coker popped up, but Owen Pridgen’s single scored two runs. Asher Goss singled in another run and Avery Madden’s single to center tied the score.
The deadlock was short-lived. James Kakaris doubled in two runs, and Leo Lopez-Reyes’ double produced a third to make it 7-4.
Goss and Madden provided two hits each for Laurens. Madden and Nabors stole bases.
Ryland Paxton, Grayson Ledford (L) and Nabors each took their medicine on the mound. Paxton pitched 1-1/3 innings, Ledford 3-2/3 and Nabors one. Ledford struck out eight of the 20 batters he faced but allowed five earned runs.
Riverside’s Tyson Fine 
took his share of damage, too. He threw 103 pitches and gave up 11 hits and five runs (four earned) but only a single walk. He fanned seven.
Kakaras scored four runs and drove in two. He was 2/4. Lopez-Reyes was 2/4 and drove in three. John Miereich was 2/4, as well.
The teams tussle again at Laurens on Wednesday evening at 6:30
Laurens Academy got lots of hitting done in a short amount of time on Monday at Oconee, where the Crusaders needed only three innings to dispatch the Warriors 18-0.
Six Crusaders collected two hits apiece, chief among them center fielder Elijah Hornberger to managed to drive in four runs with two singles in the first inning.
All the Laurens Academy (4-5) hits were singles. All the Oconee Christian hits were not as they didn’t get any. Braydon Burke didn’t pitch much of a no-hitter, being three innings long, but he didn’t allow any. He allowed four walks and struck out nine.
Also providing two singles apiece were Evan Asalone, Hack Hardy, Nathan Bell, Ethan Collins and Elias Littleton. Caleb Hardy and Dylan Frey, who added a sacrifice fly, also had hits.
Derek Pieri (L) of Oconee Christian had a short stint. He faced 13 batters, retiring one, and allowed seven hits and 12 runs, all but one earned. Pieri also beaned four batters but didn’t walk or strike out any.
The wheels of offense spun in reverse for the Thornwell Saints (4-11), who felt the Hornets’ sting of Ware Shoals, 12-0.
Ware Shoals (12-4) ambushed the Saints with five quick first-inning runs, then added five more in the third and two in the fourth.
The Hornets’ right fielder, Ethan Carillo, riddled the Saints with a single, a double and a triple in three trips to the plate, driving in two runs. Center fielder Jayce Medlin singled twice and tripled, also driving in a pair.
Carillo also stole three bases.
Shortstop Zack Crowe rapped both Thornwell hits.
Dalton Boyter pitched five smooth innings, allowing two hits with one walk and 11 strikeouts.
Sam Robertson (L) lasted 2-1/3 innings, allowing nine hits and 10 runs with three walks and two strikeouts.
Evgenios Vasilakis and Denim Yadav posted singles wins, but Presbyterian (7-12, 2-2 Big South) lost to UNC Asheville (13-6, 3-1), 5-2, in its final home match of the season on Monday afternoon.
Vasilakis finished the season undefeated in Big South play after a hard fought three-set victory, 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, at No. 6 singles.
The Blue Hose finish the regular season traveling to Virginia to play William & Mary on Saturday at 10 a.m.
Two consequences of Presbyterian College’s baseball sweep of Radford are Daniel Eagen being named Big South Starting Pitcher of the Week and Joel Dragoo honored as Player of the Week.
Eagen, a junior from Fuquay-Varina, N.C., displayed ed his pitching prowess in the opening game against Radford, dominating for seven innings. Eagen achieved a career milestone by racking up 14 strikeouts. He limited opposing batters to three hits, one earned run, and a .130 batting average.
Dragoo, a junior from Beckville, Texas, who plays center field, batted .429 (6/14), scoring three runs and driving in six. He laced three doubles and a home run. He has reached base in all 32 games to date.
Kasey Wolfe is Freshman of the Week in softball for the third time.
Last week, in five games, Wolfe, a Spartanburg product, batted.375, slugged .938, and produced five extra-base hits. She drove in five runs and scored four.
Laurens appears headed to the 4A playoffs in tennis.The Raiders had a couple 5-1 matches recently, one they won against Eastside and another they lost to Wade Hampton.
In the Wade Hampton match. Ryland Edwards and J.P. Edwards won at No. 2 doubles, which was the only line Laurens lost against Eastside.
While Laurens does not have the collection of Youngs, Glenns and Finleys in Clinton baseball, it does have a Ryland in baseball (Paxton) and boys’ tennis (Edwards).
Speaking of Glenns, Carson, the tenacious lefty, has committed to Spartanburg Methodist to hone his skills and enhance his education in the fall.
Monday was my birthday. I’ve never been one to ask people to donate to charity for my birthday. What makes me think people who wouldn’t dream of giving me a present should give to charity in my name?
On the other hand, perhaps you like the site. Perhaps you think it’s worthy of support. How much do you like it? Enough to make a small contribution to keep it going? If you’re considering it, now’s the time.
Blue, Green, Purple & Red cannot solely be funded by advertising. There’s not enough room. If you like the coverage, please donate whatever you consider appropriate via Venmo at DHK Sports. You may send a check, if you prefer, to 11185 Hwy. 56N, Clinton, S.C.. 29325.
If you choose, make a monthly donation via Patreon. The Laurens County site is here. The Furman site is here.
Support the advertisers. They are all fine people who appreciate my attempts to restore coverage of local sports.
In the off chance you’d like to read my novels and other books, they’re available on Amazon and many prominent bookseller sites.
Photo galleries are posted on Instagram @furmanatt and @laurenscountysports.
Thanks for your support.
Blue, Green, Purple & Red 