Photos by Morgen Orr Richland starting pitcher Kyle Williamson The Richland Post 6 Pathfinders won 8- 6 using two unusual plays and came back from a 4- 0 deficit to tie their second round playoff series with Spartanburg on July 23 at Memorial Stadium. An hour- and- a- half rain delay interrupted the game in the top of the fourth, but the Pathfinders earned the victory after the rain and lightning stopped by scoring five runs in the game's final four innings.

Spartanburg did not wait long to start scoring against Richland as a fielder's choice allowed Sloan Gilliam to score, and Ross Hannah hit a home run to left field, barely sneaking inside the foul pole for a 3- 0 lead. Meanwhile, Gilliam struck out the side in the bottom of the first with a nasty curve ball fooling the Post 6 batters.

A single and stolen base by Alex Dozier preceded Andrew Patterson's single to center scoring Dozier for a 4- 0 Spartanburg lead. Richland struck back in the bottom of the third by loading the bases for Kyle Strasburger and Robert Gibbes. Strasburger's infield hit scored Doug Allen and Gibbes's double brought Alston James and Leland Shealy across the plate, reducing the early deficit to one run.

Richland third baseman Leland Shealy throws out Spartanburg's Kyle Worthy. The wind, rain, and lightning pounded Memorial Stadium for the better part of an hour, and play could not resume until sufficient time had passed from the last lightning sighting. Neither team scored in the fourth, but Richland tied the game in the fifth when a Spartanburg error allowed O'Quinn to score.

In the sixth inning, the strange and unusual plays began for the Pathfinders. James hit a bloop single as Jay Wilson was running on the pitch. As Wilson chugged for home, the throw in from the outfield looked to be well in time for a tag out at home. But Wilson plowed into the catcher, and the ball popped loose squirting down the first base line.

Spartanburg players were sure the out had been recorded, and the catcher had thrown the ball toward the mound because it would have been the third out. In the confusion, James ambled around the bases eventually heading for home.

Richland center fielder Mo Holler records the third out in the top of the first. Spartanburg's first baseman finally realized the situation and grabbed the ball and ran from home trying to tag James out. James crossed safely at home, and discussions with both managers lasted almost five minutes. Finally, the ruling was that everyone was safe and Richland had a 6- 4 lead.

The eighth featured another strange play this time starring Allen and Mo Holler. After reaching base on a walk, Holler beat a throw to the plate when Allen singled to center. The Spartanburg catcher tried to get Allen at second, but his throw sailed well high and rolled deep into center field. With heads up running, Allen managed to scoot all the way around the bases and beat the second throw home on the play for an 8- 4 Richland lead.

Spartanburg earned two more runs in the top of the ninth with Hannah driving in both on a single to left with two outs, but relief pitcher Justin "Nut" Strauss forced a groundout to third to end the game and even the series at a game apiece.