Mason the Firefly
BLYTHEWOOD- Blythewood High School plays host to the seventh annual South Carolina Diamond Invitation from April 13-16, featuring teams plucked from both 4-A and 5-A.
J.L. Mann and Lexington did battle in the tournament’s lead-off game at noon on Wednesday. Lexington is currently the number eight ranked team in 5-A, and J.L. Mann lost 7-1 in last year’s championship game against Belton-Honea Path.
Belton-Honea Path, the reigning champion, got its first taste of action in game 2 against T.L. Hanna, on Wednesday as well. Belton-Honea path finished last year’s Diamond Invitation undefeated, and also claimed a state title.
Blythewood fans got a first chance to see their Bengals in game 3 at 5 p.m., when they took on Nation Ford, a 5-A school out of Fort Mill. The Bengals finished 1-2 last year, and lost in the consolation game against Summerville. Day one wrapped up with game 4, a Dutch Fork and Dorman match-up. Dutch Fork picked up a big win against White Knoll, the fifth ranked 5-A team in the state in their last contest.
Day 2 (Thursday) off early with an 8:30 a.m. game featuring Belton-Honea Path taking on Nation Ford. Following that game, J.L. Mann and Dorman square off at 11 a.m.
Blythewood gets their second crack at things with T.L. Hanna at 1:30 p.m., before Lexington closes out day two with fellow 5-A school Dutch Fork.
Friday, day three, features a full-slate of baseball. Again things lead-off with an 8:30 a.m. contest between Nation Ford and T.L. Hanna.
Dutch Fork takes on J.L.Mann at 11, and then Dorman goes up against Lexington. Then, there will be a break in the action at 4, for the home run derby and base-running competition, presented by BSN Sports.
Following the derby, Blythewood takes the field for the third time against Belton-Honea Path, at 5:30 p.m. Day three will finish up with the fourth place game at 8 p.m.
Saturday the tournament will close with a third place game at 9 a.m., then a consolation game at 11:30 a.m., and, finally, the championship game is slated for 2 p.m.
