North Myrtle Beach Times Serving our Community and the Grand Strand for over 50 years
Loris High School hosted the third annual Lacy Hardee Memorial Pre-Season Baseball Tournament on Saturday, Feb. 29, beginning at 9 a.m. The tournament has been the opening scrimmage baseball games in honor of Lacy Hardee who passed away in May 2017. He left the world with one less baseball coach, fan, photographer and writer.
On a cold windy morning the teams took to the dugouts preparing to warm up on the field. Concessions were open selling hotdogs and hot coffee to keep spectators warm inside.
Fred Gerardi is the announcer for the games for the Loris Lions baseball team for many years. He adds his quips and music to rev up the crowd and show the team support. Gerardi keeps records of the games and has kept them each year.
Fred Gerardi, far left, spent time in the press box for many years as the announcer at the baseball games. He announces the outs, the score, who is up to bat and will play music between innings to rev up the spectators.
The varsity baseball team won the first game of the tournament against Mullins with a score of 15-0 in eight innings. Coach Tim Graham said, “Carson Grainger made his debut with his pitching skills throwing a perfect game on the mound.” Game two at 1 p.m. was Mullins vs. Marion. In game three the Lions pulled from behind to get a 6-5 victory over Marian. Graham said, “Grainger drove in two runs at the bottom of the seventh to send the game into extra innings.” Andrew Buffkin and Connor Roth both scored on the play after reaching base on base hits. Jermaine Johnson scored the winning run from second base in the bottom of the eighth inning on Jack Black’s infield hit.
Monday, March 2, the Lions took the outfield against Latta at 6 p.m. The Lions advance to the championship game of the Lacy Hardee Tournament. Graham said, “Carson Grainger led the way for the Lions with four hits and four RBIs.” He continued, “He also pitched the first three innings to pick up the win.” He stated that Andrew Buffkin had multiple hits, Lance Caines, Kellar Powers and Thomas Cox contributed big hits in the decisive fifth inning when the Lions put the game away with five runs. Grainger, River Mishoe, Cox and Buffkin combined to limit Latta to one run. Graham said, “Adam Branton was outstanding defensively behind the plate for the 3-0 win for the Lions.”
A RBI is plural runs batted, it is a term used in baseball and softball that credits a batter for making a play that allows a run(s) to be scored.
Graham and the Lions have a beginning season of wins. Schedules for the games can be found on MaxPreps.
