Two nights before their big region showdown, the Conway and Carolina Forest baseball teams flexed some Class AAAA muscle over a pair of local, non-region foes.
The Tigers (16-5) pounded reigning Region VIII-AAA and state champion St. James 7-3, while the Panthers (13-8) took down Myrtle Beach 3-1. They meet Friday, with Carolina Forest needing a win to make the playoffs.
The Panthers were playing only for neighborhood bragging rights against the rival Seahawks, who scored their lone run in the first inning. But Carolina Forest tied it in the second on a run by Robert Gray.
Gray also scored the go-ahead run in the fourth, when Dylan Karnes ripped an RBI single to give the Panthers the lead for good. Pitcher Cullen Marcis shut down the Seahawks the rest of the way to preserve the win.
Meanwhile, Conway’s Jordan Gore threw a four-hitter against the Sharks, and he also doubled to help his own cause on the mound. Teammate Grant Holmes also doubled, driving in a pair of runs on St. James’ starter Zach Cook.
The Sharks face Socastee on Friday with the Region VIII-AAA regular-season title on the line. St. James is 0-2 against the Braves this season.
