The South Caldwell baseball team journeyed to the South Carolina coast during spring break to compete in the Ripken Experience 2025 Bases Loaded Tournament in Myrtle Beach.
Teams from multiple states were treated to the “Spartan experience” beginning on Tuesday when the Spartans, led by junior Luke Church on the mound, laid waste to New Jersey’s Middle Township Tuesday.
Graham Watters and Chase Cardwell closed out the game to preserve the 17-3 win against the Panthers for Church over the Panthers.
The onslaught continued Wednesday as the Spartans vanquished their host, Atlantic Collegiate Academy, behind the pitching of starter Nate Hall and Jacob Perkins closing, along with homers from Chase Johnson and Carter Bley getting the 7-2 win.
Watters took the mound Thursday, making the most of the last regular season start of his Spartan career, throwing 10 strikeouts against Lakewood High School of Ohio.
Watters picked up the 11-0 shutout win over the Rangers, while Jacob Perkins got his second save of the tournament.
The Spartans dominated their Ripkin Experience, outscoring their opponents 35-5 in the tournament, with Walker Hartley and Chase Cardwell having the hot bats picking up hits in each of the three games.
The Spartans finish the regular season with a 22 -1 overall record, taking the regular-season conference crown with a perfect 10-0 record.
Receiving a bye for the first round of the conference tournament, the Spartans will have to wait for the winner of Monday’s matchup of Hibriten and Freedom to see who awaits them in the second round on Tuesday.