Timely hitting and clutch pitching carried the James Island High School Trojans to a 3-1 victory over River Bluff on Saturday, securing their third consecutive lower state championship and a berth in the AAAAA Division I state championship series.
The Trojans will face upper state champion Dorman in a best-of-three series starting Tuesday in Roebuck, aiming for a three-peat against the Cavaliers.
Game Summary
River Bluff struck first in the top of the first inning. One-out walk by Dominick Norton and a double by pitcher Walker Godwin put runners on second and third, and Norton scored on a sacrifice fly by Sam Turner, giving River Bluff an early 1-0 lead.
James Island responded in the bottom of the second inning. Designated hitter Braden Deprill singled, followed by a single from Ethan Stein, putting runners on first and third. Deprill scored on an RBI groundout by sophomore Aiden Spivey, and Stein later scored on a wild pitch to give James Island a 2-1 advantage.
The final run came in the bottom of the third. Taj Marchand led off with a single, and pinch runner Harrison Beldner moved to second on a groundout by Connor Dantzler. Beldner scored on a single by first baseman Finn Pratt, making it 3-1.
James Island tallied eight hits overall, with Deprill, Stein, and Pratt each contributing two hits.
Pitching Performance
Sophomore Brayden Easterling started for James Island, working two innings and allowing one hit and one run. Dawson Beldner provided relief, followed by senior Taj Marchand, who pitched the final three innings. Marchand, also a standout shortstop and Mississippi signee, struck out four batters while maintaining control in key moments.
Coach Matt Spivey praised the pitching plan and teamwork. “This was just a total team win today. We were in so many jams and managed to get out of them… That was a credit to our defense, but you also have to credit River Bluff,” he said.
Looking Ahead to the State Finals
Coach Spivey noted that facing Dorman will present a challenge. “They have a great 2027 pitching arm in Connor Wells, and even after losing one starter to injury, their lineup is very solid 1 through 9 at the plate. We’re going to have to play well, pitch well, and swing it well.”
The Trojans enter the finals with a 29-3 record, and Coach Spivey highlighted the contributions of the team’s eight seniors, noting their leadership both on and off the field.
River Bluff Reaction
Despite the loss, River Bluff head coach Mark Bonnette expressed pride in his team. “James Island is a heck of a team, and I’m proud of the way our kids battled. Some of our seniors have next-level offers, and our players stepped up when needed,” Bonnette said.
Player Spotlight
Taj Marchand, a Mississippi signee, has been a starter at James Island since eighth grade and enters the Major League draft as a potential mid-second to early-third round pick. Marchand emphasized the leadership role of shortstops on the field: “The shortstop is your captain… He’s the guy you rely on to keep everyone focused.”
