Ben Halligan Two young men who contributed to 16 baseball victories for A.C. Flora High School and another nine victories for Richland Post 6 this past season head to college.

Ben Halligan takes the mound for Coach Joe Hudak’s Winthrop University Eagles, a team that won the Big South Conference Championship and participated in the NCAA playoffs.

Halligan’s teammate and good friend Chachere Freeman’s next destination is Erskine College. The Flying Fleet’s head baseball Coach, Kevin Nichols, is building a very strong program with a growing number of players from the Columbia area.

Chachere Freeman Halligan and Freeman received their high school mentoring from Flora’s head coach Andy Hallett. Coach Ray Derrick worked with them on the Richland Post 6 team.

Halligan’s efforts were ended for the season when tendonitis developed in his pitching arm during the final three weeks of the Post 6 campaign. He remained as a member of the squad that finished at 15–8. “I was sorry I couldn’t be out there with my team, but I couldn’t do anything that would hurt my chances at Winthrop,” said Halligan.

Halligan’s two–year overall record was 21–6. Eight wins were posted during this past spring with the Falcons. He added four more during the just completed American Legion season.

With a fastball that can hum up to 88 mph, Halligan received attention from The Citadel but he said, “Coach Hudak has a really good program at Winthrop. That’s why I decided to go there.”

Hudak said, “Ben has excellent command. He will be even better when he gets a little stronger and tightens up his curveball.”

Freeman’s choice of Erskine was to the point. “I like Coach Nichols because he’s a lot like Coach Hallett.”

Winning a total of 13 games while losing just one this year, Freeman says he is most comfortable as a position player. “I like the outfield. That’s where I’ve been playing for the past couple of years at Flora.”

Halligan and Freeman’s friendship has been about as lengthy as it can get for a couple of 18–year–olds.

“We grew up together and have always been friends and played baseball together,” said Freeman.

“He’s a really good guy, it’s been fun,” added Halligan.

They’ll go their separate ways over the next four years but as long as there’s baseball to be played or watched, Halligan and Freeman will always share a common turf.