EASLEY — On paper, the final score said Easley Post 52 defeated Greenwood Post 20 by the score of 8-4.
But it’s how they won that was even more impressive.
Powdersville product Henry Hernandez came on in relief to throw to solid innings to the tune of only 1 walk, 5 strikeouts and no runs. Seneca’s Joey McGovern (3-for-4) and Daniel’s Quint Cumbie (2-for-3) continued their solid hitting for Post 52.
But arguably the play of the game goes to recent Daniel High School graduate Liam Purcell.
It wasn’t that long ago that Purcell had hit 4 home runs for the DHS baseball team – all from the right handed side of the plate.
The 6-foot-4, 205-pound Purcell, though, was battling an injury last week. He was recently diagnosed with an inflamed ligament in his left hand. So, he had to make a change in his approach to his hitting and he might have shown that he is a true “switch hitter” in the process.
Purcell launched a towering home run as a left-handed hitter over the right field fence.
“I went into the game feeling pretty good,” Purcell said. “My left swing has been feeling pretty good. I just got a good pitch that I could turn on, elevate it and put the barrel on it.”
Continued Purcell, who is going to continue his career at Eastern Kentucky, “I was diagnosed with an inflamed ligament in my left hand. It was kind of bothering me when I was swinging (as a right-handed hitter). I’ve played whiffleball lefty. I finally got a good pitch (as a left-handed hitter) and elevated it. I knew it was gone off the bat.”
So the question lingers … will Purcell become a switch hitter on the college level?
“I don’t know,” Purcell said. “I’m going to keep working on it throughout the summer and maybe by the time I get to school – if it still keeps feeling good – I’ll keep working on it with my coaches there at school (at Eastern Kentucky). If they like the idea, I don’t know why I wouldn’t.”
Standout season: Post 52 third-baseman Ty Simpson did not play in the sweep over Greer, but you can’t overlook the season he’s had so far. Simpson is leading the league in batting average (.515 avg.), hits (17-of-33), RBIs (17) and runs (19).
2026 League 5 Standings – Upstate
Easley Post 52 8-4 (4-2 at home and 4-2 away)
Anderson 4-4
Greenwood 4-4
Chapin Newberry Post 193 4-5
Greenville Post 3 3-6