SUMMERVILLE, S.C. (WCIV) — In a dramatic turn of events, Ashley Ridge advanced to the state championship series after Summerville forfeited their game due to a pitch count violation. The South Carolina High School League (SCHSL) ruled on Friday that Summerville forfeited the 5-A Lower State Championship against Ashley Ridge, played on May 16, 2024.
Game Highlights and Forfeit Details
On the field, Summerville made an impressive comeback, overturning a 4-0 deficit to outscore their crosstown rivals, Ashley Ridge, 6-4. The game was intense, and the Summerville Green Wave celebrated what seemed like a hard-fought victory. However, the celebration was cut short when the Ashley Ridge Swamp Foxes alerted the umpires to a pitch count discrepancy involving Summerville pitcher Thayer Tavormina.
Note: SawxSouth Shared a Tweet With Caption on 25 May 2024, Ashley Ridge, who went to states after last week’s pitch count violation by Summerville, loses the 5A championship to Lexington.
Ashley Ridge, who went to states after last week’s pitch count violation by Summerville, loses the 5A championship to Lexington. https://t.co/OKh9zzkuTm
— Sawx South (@SawxSouth) May 25, 2024
Pitch Count Violation
According to SCHSL rules, a pitcher who throws on consecutive days is limited to a maximum of 75 pitches on the second day, regardless of the number of pitches thrown on the first day. Tavormina, who had pitched in a rain-shortened game on Wednesday, was limited to 75 pitches but threw 83 during Thursday’s game.
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Official Ruling and Aftermath
Ashley Ridge, aware of the pitch count rule and Tavormina’s pitch count, informed the umpiring crew. After a brief discussion among umpires, athletic directors, and coaches, the SCHSL enforced the rule, resulting in a forfeit by Summerville. The SCHSL’s official rule states that exceeding the pitch count results in an automatic forfeit, which was upheld in this case.
Ashley Ridge coach BJ Bellush refrained from commenting on camera until the SCHSL’s official ruling was announced. Despite the unusual circumstances, there was no celebration from the Ashley Ridge team following the ruling.
Looking Ahead
With this forfeit, Ashley Ridge now advances to the state championship series, poised to compete for the title. This incident underscores the importance of adhering to SCHSL regulations and the impact of compliance on game outcomes.
Conclusion
The Ashley Ridge vs. Summerville game serves as a crucial reminder of the strict adherence required for SCHSL pitch count rules. As Ashley Ridge moves forward to the state championship series, the importance of following regulations remains a pivotal aspect of high school sports.
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