Photos by David Martin Leland Shealy lays down a perfect bunt against Spartanburg to load the bases. Scoring four runs in the bottom of the ninth to send the game to extra innings and winning on a wild pitch in the bottom of the eleventh, Richland Post 6 defeated Spartanburg Post 28 6- 5 and won the series three games to one in the second round of the Upper State playoffs on July 25.

Leland Shealy used adept base running to reach third base in the eleventh and scampered home just beating the tag of Ryan Taylor to give the Pathfinders the decisive victory.

Spartanburg again led the game off with a Ross Hannah home run in the first inning as the first baseman crushed the ball to deep center for a 2- 0 lead. The visitors added a third run in the second when Mike Metz's double scored Kyle Worthy. But after the first two innings, each pitcher settled into a nice groove, Ian McKinney for Spartanburg and Alston James for Richland.

Alston James pitches for Richland Post 6 against Spartanburg. Neither team scored in the third, fourth, sixth, seventh, or eighth innings. Richland scored its first run in the bottom of the fifth on a controversial call that ended as a double play for Spartanburg. Kyle Williamson's long drive to left field with the bases loaded and no outs hit the wall but was immediately trapped by the left fielder causing confusion for the Richland base runners as to whether the ball was fair or foul and if it had been caught or not.

As a result, Will Freeman scored for the Pathfinders, but the other two runners were thrown out. Several minutes of coaches arguing ensued before order was restored and a prime opportunity for Richland squandered.

Each pitcher motored through the latter innings until the ninth brought on pitching changes. Sloan Gilliam launched a temporarily devastating two- run homer in the top of the ninth for Spartanburg increasing the visitors' lead to 5- 1.

Richland then chased McKinney from the game in the bottom of the ninth with a walk by Mo Holler and a double down the right field line by Chris Daniels. Justin Strauss then singled home two runs bringing the score to 5- 3 with nobody out.

Post 28 changed pitchers again bringing David Hazelton into the game to get out of the ninth. After recording two quick outs, a Spartanburg error allowed Freeman, who earlier had walked, and Strauss across the plate to tie the game and force extra innings.

Richland threatened in the bottom of the tenth putting Holler on third base with one out, but he was stranded when an unsuccessful squeeze and an extremely close fielder's choice ended the inning.

In the top of the eleventh, Kyle Strasburger created a terrific double play getting a force out at second base and firing home where Kirk Sims tagged out Spartanburg's Alex Dozier to end the inning and keep the score tied at five.

The bottom of the 11th saw Shealy get hit by a pitch to lead off the inning. He took second on a wild pitch and was moved to third on a groundout by Williamson. Submariner Ryan Traylor sent a second pitch wide of the catcher giving Shealy a chance to take home. His slide just beat Traylor's tag at the plate, and Richland survived in dramatic fashion, 6- 5 to win the game and series against Spartanburg.

Richland now travels to Florence to defend its 2007 state title at the American Legion State Tournament July 30 through August 3. The Pathfinders open against Goose Creek Wednesday at 1 pm in the double elimination tournament. They are joined by regular season league eight champion Irmo, who opens against Lake City at 9:30 am Wednesday.