The Latta Vikings and coach Donald Cribb completed their dream season Saturday afternoon following a 4-3 win in the class AA state championship game against Chesnee.
The Vikings won game one 5-3 a week ago and lost game two in Chesnee on Thursday 2-1 leading to todays decisive game three. The Vikings took an early three to nothing lead in the fifth inning before Chesnee tied the game up in the bottom half. Then a McLeod Carmichael sacrifice fly gave Latta the lead for the final time. The win gives the Vikings their ninth state championship and their second in four years.
The Pee Dee Academy Golden Eagles were also crowned champions in SCISA. The Eagles were led by yet another impressive pitching and defensive performance, shutting out Robert E. Lee for the second time in the three game series to win 3-0. Starting pitcher Timmy Felder pitched a gem in the final game, going the distance to secure the shutout victory. The Eagles star pitcher/outfielder Garrett McDaniels will walk away from Pee Dee Academy after leading the team to back-to-back state championships.
In class A the Hannah-Pamplico Raiders came up just short from forcing a decisive game three against McBee, falling 3-2. The Raiders were in a 3-0 hole early on but scored two runs late before the Panthers pitcher Connor Kirkley got a fly ball to shortstop to end the game.
The Hartsville softball game against Union County was pushed back to Monday at 7:00 p.m. in Hartsville.
