Game 3: Florence Post 1 puts an end to Richland's State Title hopes.Stories and Photos by Mike Maddock

Richland third baseman Chaz Ardis prepares to tag out Florence catcher Brett Walker. Ardis had a single in the fifth inning to score Todd Stoudenmire and Robbie Wilcox. Unlike their previous two games in the SC American Legion State Tournament, the Richland Post 6 Pathfinders got off to a quick start against Florence Friday, July 28, 2006, at Riley Park in Sumter. Todd Stoudenmire laid down a picture-perfect drag bunt single, then Robbie Wilcox followed with a single to right field. But Chaz Ardis could not get a bunt to stay fair, and Will Lewis hit into an inning ending double play.

Florence wasted no time showing off its offensive firepower in the bottom half of the first inning.

Richland pitcher Doug Allen struck out lead off batter Bryan Wilson, then walked Trey Lynch. Lynch then took second base on an errant pick-off attempt by Allen. Next Barratt Klein-knecht stepped in and drilled an Allen pitch well over the left field fence and scoreboard.

Florence took a 6-0 lead into the fifth inning, seemingly in control of the game. But the Pathfinders would battle back.

Todd Stoudenmire (l) congratulates Robbie Wilcox. Stoudenmire singled in the first. Wilcox singled in the first and doubled in the fifth. Chad Rainwater started the inning with an infield hit. Chris Daniels followed with a single to centerfield. Kirk Sims hit into a fielder's choice which sent Daniels to the dug-out but advanced Rainwater to third base leaving runners at the corners. Then the clutch-hitting Justin Strauss singled to left field to score Rainwater.

Todd Stoudenmire then narrowly escaped an inning ending double play again leaving runners on the corners for Robbie Wilcox. Wilcox then doubled to left field, scoring Sims. Chaz Ardis followed with a single to right, scoring Stoudenmire and Wilcox. That was it for Richland though.

Florence answered right back with four more runs in the bottom half of the fifth. Then in the seventh, Florence ended the scoring just as they had started it. After a walk, a triple, and a single, Ryan Toniolo blasted a Pete Billas pitch over the left field fence and scoreboard ending a terrific season for the American Legion League Eight Champions.

Chad Rainwater started the fifth inning with an infield hit.

Justin Strauss is congratulated by assistant coach Jason Sandifer for his single to left field in the fifth inning.