BOWMAN COLUMN: Wando boys and girls lacrosse teams bid for berths in state finals

The Wando boys and girls lacrosse teams are both one win away from vying for a state championship.

The Warriors boys host Hilton Head at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the Lower State championship, while the Wando girls go on the road, traveling to Fort Mill. The girls are seeking their second title since the High School League sanctioned the sport three years ago.

The state championships will be contested Saturday at White Knoll High School.

The boys host Hilton Head, a team they beat 10-6 in the season opener on March 6.

“They've grown and gotten better,” said Wando boys coach Lance Renes. “But we've grown too. We expect to see a different team, but we will still be ready.”

The Warriors reached the Lower State championship with A 23-2 victory over victory over White Knoll and a 15-2 decision over Academic Magnet.

Academic Magnet was the only team to defeat Wando in the regular season.

Stephen Smilak led the victory over Academic Magnet as the Warriors (11-1) won their 10th straight match. He scored four goals and had two assists. Tucker Dodson scored three goals, while Bailey Wright, Martin Huff all had two goals.

The match was played over two days as lightning halted the contest Thursday with the Warriors holding an 8-2 lead.

Hilton Head advanced with a 12-8 upset of second-seeded Fort Mill.

“We're ready for the Lower State championship,” Renes said. “We take it one game at a time, and we're going in with a game plan and the ability to adapt if needed.”

Wando has one of the top lacrosse programs in the state as both teams have flourished.

“We support the girls team and they support us,” Renes said.

Berkeley baseball
The Berkeley baseball team has been impressive this spring, with a 12-3 record, including 6-2 in Region 6-AAA, which is good enough to share the region lead with Cane Bay and Hilton Head.

The team is young with only two seniors as starting position players.

Garrett Gallagher is having a good year at the plate and on the mound, batting .300 and doing 4-1 on the mound with a 1.66 ERA.

Matthew Kizer also has provided quality innings and has a record of 3-2 with a 1.17 ERA.

Kyle Garrick leads the team with a .389 batting average. Connor Teague is batting .359, and Eric Horton is hitting .346.

Baseball statistics
The Post and Courier will publish baseball statistics on Friday. Coaches are asked to provide leaders in all offensive and pitching categories.

Stats should be submitted by noon on Thursday. Email stats to pbowman@postandcourier.com.

Follow Philip M. Bowman on Twitter: @pandcphil.