Hartsville still looking like champs

The Hartsville Red Foxes are defending Class 4A champions, and so far, they've haven't done anything that would lead me to believe they won't be one of the last few teams standing.
At 8-1, they're only loss came at the hands of Brookland-Cayce, considered by many to be the favorite for the Class 3A state title. Other than that, they've done what they always do -- pitch well, play defense, put some runs on the board.
"Pitching is what got us the state championship last year, and that's what we're relying on this year," Hartsville coach Jacob Shumate said after Saturday's 12-8 win against West Florence.
Jordan Lyles and Andrew Turner give them a great one-two punch, and the rest of the pitching depth is great as well, David Leeth, Saturday's starter, is just a sophomore and would have had a great outing if his control would have been there. A lot of walks, but not many hits.
Shumate said the Red Foxes were going to be a little more aggressive on the base paths under him and he wasn't just blowing smoke. Hartsville executed a perfect hit-and-run play and stole a few bases as well.
Region 6-4A is stacked, which makes the Red Foxes' season even more impressive so far.
The Knights meanwhile have struggled to get hits in two meetings with Hartsville, collecting just five total. West has had to use a piecemeal pitching staff too, tough to do in one of the best region's in the state.

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