to gain 1A playoff berth
LAKE WACCAMAW – The East Columbus Gators claimed the Waccamaw Conference’s state 1A playoff berth Thursday with a 12-2 victory over Heide Trask as the teams closed out their regular-season schedule.
Coach Karl Bracey’s Gators closed out regular season with a 9-13 record, including a 5-7 mark in the Waccamaw 1A-2A Conference.
The Gators will play host to Ayden-Grifton Tuesday night at 7 in the opening round of the 1A playoffs.
Chad Malpass pitched a three-hitter and belted two doubles in Thursday’s victory over Trask. The game was halted in the fifth inning by the 10-run rule. Senior Jonathan “Earl” Reaves went 4-4 and Allen Bracey ignited the Gators’ seven-run second inning with a home run. Alex Williamson added a double as the Gators’ entire starting lineup hit safely.
Jordan Lanier had two of Trask’s hits, including a fifth-inning home run. Trask closed its season with a 3-9 record in conference play.
| Trask | 001 | 01 | - | 2 | 3 | 0 | |
| E. Columbus | 172 | 11 | - | 12 | 12 | 0 |
Hanline and Prosser; Malpass and Williamson.
