Record weekend for Piekutoski leads Fire Ants to sweep of USC-Salkehatchie

Fr. Ryan Piekutoski hit a school-record 5 HRs, 15 RBIs vs. USC-Salkehatchie leading USC Sumter to the three-game sweep this past weekend in Allendale, SC. Piekutoski also made Fire Ant program history, hitting a homerun in five straight and seven overall in last week's games vs. Brunswick Community College and USC-Salk. Overall, the freshman Piekutoski is hitting .495 with 14 HRs and 51 RBIs through 31 games. The Fire Ant offense collectively has been carrying the charge with a .343 team average, .448 OBP and adding over 100+ extra base hits so far this season. 

GAME ONE:

Ty Butler dominated over six scoreless innings, a 4-run 2nd inning and late HRs by Piekutoski and Hudson Moss secured the 8-0 victory for the Fire Ants baseball team. Moss and Piekutoski both collected 2 RBIs, while Riley Darby added two hits including a double. 

GAME TWO:

So. Jeb Britt continues his stellar season with a 2-hit, 10 K performance over seven innings and the Fire Ant offense added 20 hits in the 13-1 Game 2 win. Britt is now 5-0 on the season, with four of the wins coming in Region 10 play. Jasean Perry, Brady Yarborough, Moss and Piekutoski each had three hits (Piekutoski two HRs), along with combining for seven RBIs and runs runs scored. Fr. RJ Hamilton closed out Game 2 with two scoreless innings, allowing only one hit and striking out three. 

GAME THREE: 

The USC Sumter offense scored in every inning led by Ryan Piekutoski's 2nd straight multi-HR game, to complete the sweep of USC-Salkehatchie in the 6-inning run rule 16-5 Game 3 victory. Jaxon Jean also homered, collected four RBIs along with Piekutoski's two-HR, four RBI performance. Riley Darby, Brody Cook and Yarborough added two hits apiece in the win. 

Following the series victory, Head Coach Will Thompson gave his thoughts on the team's performance over the weekend, "I thought we had a good weekend in all three phases of the game. We had great starting pitching, which is always the key to a successful weekend. We played great defense and the offense continued to do what it's done all season."

Coach Thompson was also asked about how he thought the team has looked overall this far through the season and ahead to next weekend's matchup vs. USC Union, "I feel like every time we get out there we're getting better, which is always what you want. You want to be playing your best baseball in May and I feel like we're on track for that. Our schedule had a very home heavy beginning of the season and for the most part of March we have been on the road. We are 9-2 so far in those road games and are looking to continue that success this weekend at USC Union." 

USC Sumter is now 21-10 overall this season and 9-5 in Region 10 play, currently 3rd place behind Gaston College and Florence-Darlington Tech.