North Myrtle Beach knew that three straight home playoff wins to open the postseason would help it get into striking distance of its goals.

Make that two more now.

The Chiefs beat at-large squad Bluffton 5-0 Monday to protect what ultimately could be home-field advantage right on into at least the state quarterfinals.

“We’re excited to win, get that first one under our belt,” coach Brian Alderson said after his team improved to 22-5. “Austin [Long] was dealing. It looked like he was probably a little bit better than their bats. I didn’t feel like they were going to score too many. … I don’t think I got too nervous. I figured we’d find a way to score. I’m sure a lot of people outside the fence were scratching their head wondering why I pulled him.”

Long threw fewer than 75 pitches against Bluffton over the course of 4 2/3 innings. That means he’ll be available as early as Friday with a full complement of pitches should the Chiefs need him.

However, as was the case Monday, making the most of this potential home-field advantage requires a victory Wednesday against Richland Northeast. The Cavaliers, a No. 7 seed in the new Class 4A format (North Myrtle Beach is a No. 2), beat Colleton County 3-0 to set up the second-round matchup.

AROUND THE AREA

In boys soccer, Carolina Forest (4-0 over Fort Dorchester) and Aynor (3-2 over Camden) each moved on in their respective first-round playoff games Monday. Local boys teams St. James, Socastee, North Myrtle Beach and Loris all fell in opening-round games, ending those teams’ season.

The Myrtle Beach boys soccer team advanced to a second-round match against Logoff-Elgin on Wednesday courtesy of a first-round bye.

UP NEXT

On Tuesday, 16 more area teams will begin their playoffs in baseball, softball and girls soccer.

MONDAY’S RESULTS

BOYS SOCCER

Class 5A

Carolina Forest 4, Fort Dorchester 0

Stall 2, St. James 1

River Bluff 1, Socastee 0

Class 4A

Lucy Beckham 2, North Myrtle Beach 0

Class 3A

Aynor 3, Camden 2

Crestwood 2, Loris 0

BASEBALL

Class 4A

North Myrtle Beach 5, Bluffton 0

HORRY COUNTY PLAYOFF SCHEDULE

GIRLS SOCCER

Class 5A (Tuesday)

No. 1 St. James (first-round bye)

No. 3 Lexington at No. 2 Socastee, 6 p.m.

No. 4 Goose Creek at No. 3 Carolina Forest, 6 p.m.

No. 4 Conway at No. 2 Ashley Ridge, 6 p.m.

Class 4A (Tuesday)

No. 1 Myrtle Beach (first-round bye)

No. 11 North Myrtle Beach at No. 6 Ridge View, 7 p.m.

Class 3A (Tuesday)

No. 3 Crestwood at No. 2 Aynor, 6 p.m.

No. 3 Loris at No. 2 Darlington, 6 p.m.

BASEBALL

Class 5A, First round (Tuesday)

At-Large White Knoll at No. 1 Carolina Forest, 6 p.m.

No. 3 Chapin at No. 2 Socastee, 6 p.m.

No. 4 Cane Bay at No. 3 St. James, 6 p.m.

At-Large Conway at No. 1 Summerville, 7 p.m.

Class 3A, First round (Tuesday)

No. 3 Marlboro County at No. 2 Aynor, 6:30 p.m.

No. 4 Loris at No. 1 Lake City, 6:30 p.m.

Class 1A, First round (Tuesday)

No. 3 Green Sea Floyds at No. 2 Bamberg-Ehrhardt, 6 p.m.

Class 4A, Second round (Wednesday)

No. 7 Richland Northeast at No. 1 North Myrtle Beach, TBD

SOFTBALL

Class 4A, First round (Tuesday)

No. 11 North Myrtle Beach at No. 6 AC Flora, 6 p.m.

Class 5A, First round (Wednesday)

At-Large Socastee at No. 1 St. James, 6 p.m.

No. 4 Carolina Forest at No. 2 Ashley Ridge, 6 p.m.

No. 3 White Knoll at No. 2 Conway, 6:30 p.m.

Class 3A, First round (Wednesday)

No. 4 Crestwood at No. 1 Aynor, 6:30 p.m.

No. 3 Loris at No. 2 Darlington, 6:30 p.m.

Class 1A, First round (Wednesday)

No. 4 Green Sea Floyds at No. 1 Branchville, 6 p.m.

BOYS SOCCER

Class 5A, Second round (Wednesday)

No. 3 West Ashley at No. 1 Carolina Forest, TBD

Class 4A, Second round (Wednesday)

No. 7 Lugoff-Elgin at No. 2 Myrtle Beach, TBD

Class 3A, Second round (Wednesday)

No. 2 Aynor at No. 1 Dreher, TBD

May 1, 2023 | Horry Independent, The (Conway, SC)
Author/Byline: Ian Guerin ian@ianguerin.com | Section: Baseball