Ashley Ridge rips Goose Creek for first district title

Ashley Ridge defeated Goose Creek, 12-0, to earn the first baseball district championship in the program’s young history.

The Swamp Foxes (26-1) got their bats cranking early and played errorless defense to claim the District 8 championship and advance to the Lower State round of the Class AAAA playoffs. On Saturday, Ashley Ridge will open the double-elimination Lower State series by hosting the winner of the White Knoll/Irmo game.

“I’m proud of these kids,” Ashley Ridge coach BJ Bellush said. “It seems like in the big games, they always step up, and they certainly did tonight. Goose Creek had their top pitcher tonight, but our guys came out with an aggressive approach and really swung the bats well against a good pitcher.”

Bryan Dye had two-run home run in the first inning to give the Swamp Foxes a 3-0 lead.

In the second inning, Ashley Ridge scored six runs for a 9-0 lead. Three of them came off Billy Seigler’s three-run homer.

Austin Livingston threw four innings and surrendered only three hits and no walks while striking out four for the win.

Nick Bell was 3 for 4 for the Foxes with three RBIs. Wright was 3 for 4 with four runs.

Cody Smith went 2 for 2 to lead the Gators.

Goose Creek 000 00— 0 3 2
Ashley Ridge 362 1x—12 10 0

WP—Livingston (9-0). LP—Lavery. Records: AR 26-1; GC 12-15. Notes: AR: Wright 3-3, Seigler 2-3, HR, 3 RBIs, Bell 3-4, 2B, 3 RBIs, Dye 1-1, HR, 2 RBIs.