After an eight-day layoff, the Fairfield Central varsity baseball team was back on their home diamond Monday evening in a key region match-up with the Eau Claire Shamrocks as they continue to make a push for a spot in the post-season.

Coming off a less-than stellar performance in the Sandlapper Spring Break tournament, the Griffins defeated the Shamrocks 7-6 in one of the most bizarre finishes in recent school history.

After a back-and-forth game through three innings, the Griffins were awarded the win due to multiple ejections from both teams in the top of the fourth inning that resulted in the Shamrocks not having enough players to finish the game.

“As a coach and fan of the sport you never like to get a win this way. Unfortunately their emotions got the best of them and that gave us a much-needed win. However, we have to come out (Tuesday) ready to put his behind us and move forward,” said Griffins head coach Scotty Dean. “The season isn’t over with and we still have a lot of work to do. I’m glad we got the win, but we have a tough schedule remaining and can’t afford any distractions. Our focus is on making the playoffs”

After an RBI single into mid-field from EC’s J. Yon in the 1st gave the Shamrocks an early 2-0 lead, the Griffins would respond, scoring three runs in the bottom of the inning to reclaim the lead, including RBI singles from both DeArte Evans and starting pitcher Shaquille Grier.

The Shamrocks took the lead for the second time after scoring one run in the second inning and adding three more in the third holding a 6-3 advantage.

The Griffins again answered the rally.

FC sent eight batters to the plate in the third, scoring four runs, highlighted by an RBI single from outfielder Eddie White. White was 2-2 at the plate on the evening with two RBIs.

An on-field altercation in the fourth that concluded with eight players being ejected from the game left the Shamrocks with only seven available players, giving the Griffins the win due to forfeit.

Shaquille Grier was credited with the win after taking over for starting pitcher Dylan Cruz, who was pulled after a shaky start. Grier finished with 5 strikeouts while giving up two hits and four walks. Grier went 1-1 at the plate with 2 RBIs.

Griffs Top L-R

With the score knotted at 6-all in the bottom of the seventh inning, Fairfield Central’s Antywone Claybourne scored the game winning run on a sacrifice fly ball from teammate Jamar Richardson, giving the Griffins a 7-6 win, their second straight and clinching the season-series sweep over the Lower Richland Diamond Hornets, Tuesday evening.

“I’m proud of these guys for putting all the distractions aside and pulling together to get the win. We needed this wins. We got a comfortable lead in the fourth and then we let them get back into the game, but our guys stepped up and came through,” Griffins head coach Scotty Dean stated.

At the end of the second inning, both teams managed to score a run apiece before the Griffin offense came alive in the third putting up three runs with three hits. They would add another run in the fourth, giving them a comfortable 5-1 lead.

The Diamond Hornets would mount a rally of their own taking a 6-5 edge in the sixth on an RBI single from pitcher Brandon Jenkins.

However, in the bottom of the same inning, the Griffins would again answer the challenge, scoring two runs of their own and holding on for the win.

Claybourne, who has been the Griffins’ ace pitcher this season, put on yet another remarkable performance on the mound, giving up only one hit and two earned runs in five innings pitched. Claybourne also retired one batter and walked two. With the win, Claybourne improve his season record to 4-1 with four regular season games remaining. He was 1-1 with an RBI single at the plate.

“We know every time (Claybourne) is on the mound, we have a good chance to win. He has been, for the most part, consistent all season. We will need more performances like this from him down the stretch,” added Dean.

Richardson finished 2-for-2 at the plate with two singles and an RBI for Fairfield Central.

The Griffins, playing without starting catcher Kendrick Pauling, activated eight-grader Brandon Rodgers to fill the position. Rodgers played a solid game making plays and throwing out several batters, which impressed head coach Scotty Dean.

“I can’t say enough about the job (Rodgers) did for us tonight. He has never played in a varsity baseball game and for him to perform the way he did tonight, I think it’s outstanding. He’s a very special player.”

The Griffins are currently holding onto the fourth spot in the region and need Chester to lose to Lugoff-Elgin to clinch the final playoff spot.

The Griffins host AC Flora tonight as the seniors will be honored during a pre-game ceremony celebrating Senior Night.