Jay Roberts ripped a 2–2 pitch down the left field line for a double that scored Duy Phan and gave Richland the 6–5 lead against Florence. Less than 24 hours after losing a tough game to top seeded Sumter, the Richland Post 6 Pathfinders bounced back to defeat Florence 6–5 in a day 2 elimination game July 24 at the S.C. American Legion State Tournament at Capital City Stadium. Leadoff man Ryan Mercer led the Pathfinders going 3–for–3 from the plate. He scored once, knocked a run in, and reached base safely six times drawing three walks to go with his three hits.

The Pathfinders got it going early in the first inning when Raymond Prince hit into a fielder’s choice that allowed Mercer to score from third, but Florence answered when Rhodes Dickerson’s double off the centerfield wall scored Michael Wilson. Phillip Herring’s single then drove in Dickerson to give Florence a 2–1 lead.

Richland shor tstop Duy Phan makes a play against Florence. Chandler Knox got the first of his two hits in the second inning, then Mercer drove him in with single to centerfield to tie the game at 2–2. Florence came right back in the bottom half of the inning when Dayton Barton got the first of his four hits on the day driving in Tallon Turner. Wilson then laced a double off the centerfield wall to score Barton and give Florence a 4–2 lead.

Post 6 starting pitcher Bud Jeter then settled into a bit of a groove allowing just one hit over the next three innings and striking out five. Meanwhile Florence starter Hunter Gregg began to struggle with his control. He walked Knox to start the fourth, then plunked Miles Fisher. Mercer loaded the bases with an infield hit. Two consecutive sacrifice flies by Kyle Towles and Duy Phan scored Knox and Fisher to tie the game at 4–4.

Richland Post 6 third baseman Brett Fulmer picks up a bunt and throws out a Florence batter. The Pathfinders took the lead in the top of the sixth when Raymond Prince’s infield hit scored Towles from third base.

In the bottom half of the inning, Jeter gave up two straight singles but nearly got out of the inning when it looked like Phan and Towles had turned a double play, but Wilson was called safe at first. Turner then scored on a wild pitch to tie the game. A walk to Dickerson was enough for Post 6 coach Ray Derrick. He brought in Marshall Baker who was able to strike out Dustin McRae with two on base to end the Florence threat.

Florence went to the bullpen in the top of the eighth, but Phan started the inning for Post 6 with a bullet that Dickerson could not handle at first base. Two outs later with Phan at third base, Jay Roberts ripped a 2–2 pitch down the left field line for a double that scored Phan and gave Richland the 6–5 lead.

Richland leadoff man Ryan Mercer reached base safely al l six times he batted. Baker hit a batter and walked two but shut down Florence the final three innings. Conner Lewis and Roberts each finished with two hits. Knox had two hits and scored twice and made multiple stops at catcher to save several potential extra bases for Florence.

Florence stranded 13 base runners, while Richland stranded 14. Richland will face the loser of West Columbia and Rock Hill, while Florence goes home.