The Dillon Wildcats fell 8-2 to the Ninety Six Wildcats on Monday night in Ninety Six, South Carolina, in game one of the 2015 Class 2A state championship baseball series.

After an hour and a half rain delay, Ninety Six took an early lead in the top of the first as Jacob Childress reached on a walk. After a fly and a fielder’s choice, Spencer Williams singled and Chad Fairey drew a walk to load the bases. Wyatt Owens hit into a grounder and a Wildcat fielding error allowed two runners to score. Another scored on a wild pitch from Austin Moody, allowing the Ninety Six Wildcats to take a 3-0 lead.

In the second, Childress singled and advanced to third on another wild throw before scoring on a single from Ryan Franklin. Ninety-Six maintained a shut out lead until the to of the seventh. Dillon’s Duncan Callahan drew a walk and the Wildcats broke lose with a flurry of base hits from Kaleb Page, Joseph Scott, Gunnar Grossetti, and Dekendrick Graves to earn two runs.

Ninety Six’s Bryce Bearden allowed seven hits and struck out eight on the mound in the win.

The Wildcats slipped to 17-9 overall. This is the first state title appearance for the Wildcats since 2008. Ninety Six are the defending state champions and improved to 25-5 with the win.

Dillon was scheduled to host game two on Wednesday night. If the Wildcats win, game three will be played at a neutral site. If Ninety Six gets the win, they will claim the title.

Photos by Mitchell Carter. Click the images below to view at full size!