By JAKE POTTER

LAKE WACCAMAW—The East Columbus Gators took an early exit from the state 1A baseball playoffs after losing to the Ayden-Grifton Chargers 6-2 Tuesday night.

Righthander Richie Turner racked up nine strikeouts and launched a first-inning home run to left field to lead the Chargers to the second round.

Turner’s home run, his 14th of the year, set a school record. He nearly made it 15 with a fifth-inning double to the right field warning track.

The Gators failed to produce any hits after a productive two-run second inning as Turner retired the last 15 batters he faced.

East Columbus, the top-finishing 1A team in the Waccamaw 1A-2A Conference, closed its season with a 9-13 record.

The Chargers’ fierce offense—one which amassed 10 hits—sealed the game with a third-inning surge which saw four hits bring in three runs to put Coach Karl Bracey’s Gators down by two runs.

Neither team would score again until the seventh and final inning, when Ayden-Grifton picked up two more runs off Turner’s double.

ECHS lefthander B.J. Patrick finished with two strikeouts and four walks. Shortstop Alex Sasser led the Gator offense, going 2-for-3 with two singles and an RBI.

Gators assistant coach Mike Bracey said his players showed an intense work ethic throughout the season.

“This is probably the most hard-working team I’ve ever seen out here,” he said. “I enjoy seeing players’ hard work pay off.”

Bracey also commended the effort of the Gators’ senior class.

“We are very appreciative of the seniors,” he said. “They gave it their all for four years.”

Turner; Patrick