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(Monte Dutton file photo)

SIMPSONVILLE – Hillcrest held on by the narrowest of margins Friday night as Laurens’ Jack Yarbrough was out at the plate trying to score the tying run in the Rams’ 5-4 victory over the Raiders on Friday night.

Laurens (1-5-1) scored twice in the 7th inning. Two walks and Josh Hughes’ single loaded the bases with one out, and the Raiders pulled within a run on Zay Pulley’s walk. Mason Hamby struck out, and then Jackson Martin singled to left, scoring pinch-runner Jireh Brown, but Yarbrough, who had walked, was cut down by Hillcrest left field R.J. Groomster’s throw to catcher Alex LaCoste.

The Raiders led, 2-1, entering the bottom of the 6th, when Hillcrest (4-2) scored 4 runs. Laurens pitchers Ryland Paxton and Jordon Hudson gave up only 1 hit each, but Hudson took the loss by allowing 3 runs on a hit and 2 walks in the Rams’ final at-bat.

Paxton yielded a double to Hunter Davis to lead off the inning – it was the Rams’ 1st hit -- and was replaced on the mound by Hudson. Tyson Moses’s bunt enabled Davis to tie the score. Connor Nash scored the go-ahead run on Jeremiah Madden’s bases-loaded walk.

Laurens outhit Hillcrest, 4-2, as Pulley, Martin, Hughes and Yarbrough each had a hit. Yarbrough’s was a double.

Davis earned the win even while allowing 4 hits, 4 runs (3 earned) and 5 walks in a complete game, striking out 12.