SUMTER, S.C. — Florence Post 1 added another championship chapter to one of South Carolina’s most successful American Legion Baseball traditions by defeating Fort Mill Post 43, 6-3, to capture the 2026 South Carolina American Legion Baseball Senior State Championship at historic Riley Park.

 

The championship game was played Sunday, July 26, as the final contest of the Senior Division State Tournament. Florence took control early, scoring the game’s opening run in the bottom of the first inning before delivering a decisive five-run fifth inning to build a 6-0 advantage.

 

Fort Mill responded with three runs in the sixth, but Florence’s pitching and defense stopped the rally. Post 1 kept Fort Mill scoreless in the seventh inning and recorded the final out to secure the state championship.

 

The victory capped an outstanding season for a Florence team that established itself as one of South Carolina’s strongest programs from the opening weeks of the summer. According to the official South Carolina American Legion Baseball standings, Post 1 finished with an 18-1 record, including a perfect 13-0 mark at home and a 5-1 record on the road.

 

Florence entered the championship portion of the postseason riding a 17-game winning streak. During its recorded games, Post 1 scored 156 runs while allowing only 36, demonstrating the combination of powerful offense, deep pitching and dependable defense required to compete for a state championship.

 

Post 1 also dominated the Coastal League, finishing 11-1 in division play and securing the league championship ahead of Summerville Post 21, Manning Santee Post 68, Horry Legion Baseball, Moncks Corner Post 126 and the Beaufort Ospreys.

 

Throughout the summer, Florence demonstrated its ability to win games in several different ways. Post 1 recorded shutout victories over Manning Santee, Beaufort, Moncks Corner and Horry while also prevailing in close contests against Tabor City, Asheville, Cherryville and Chapin-Newberry.

 

Florence’s schedule included opponents from South Carolina, North Carolina and Ohio, giving the team valuable experience against quality competition before the postseason began.

 

Post 1 carried tremendous momentum into the state tournament after an impressive July. Florence defeated Moncks Corner, 10-0; Horry, 8-0; Moncks Corner again, 13-2; Horry again, 5-2; Chapin-Newberry, 6-5; and Chapin-Newberry, 20-1.

 

Those performances showcased the balance that defined the team throughout the season. Florence’s pitching staff could shut down opposing offenses, while its lineup was capable of manufacturing runs in close games or producing big innings when opportunities developed.

 

The decisive rounds of the Senior State Tournament were held July 24-26 at Riley Park in Sumter. The tournament format required teams to combine pitching depth, offensive consistency and resilience while competing through the pressure of postseason baseball.

 

Riley Park provided a fitting stage for the championship game. Opened in 1934, the historic Sumter ballpark has hosted minor league, collegiate and American Legion Baseball throughout its history.

When Florence reached the title game, Post 1 delivered another complete performance. The offense created an early advantage, the five-run fifth inning provided the necessary separation and the pitching staff protected the lead when Fort Mill attempted to rally.

 

The championship roster featured players representing communities and schools throughout the Pee Dee region. Florence Post 1’s roster included Gabe McLaughlin, Brandon Anderson, Avery Weaver, Tristan Heckman, Jaden Atkinson, Cody Barr, Bryce King, Derrick Austin, Newt Hinson, Web Barnes, Chase Price, Hank Grider, B.W. Berry, Mason Weatherford, James Wyatt Arthur, Bennett Causey, Bentley Jackson, Khalon McGee, Ja’Marcus Williams, Carson Haynes and Bryce Oliver.

 

The team brought together players from South Florence, West Florence, Hartsville, Pee Dee Academy, Lamar, Lake View, Dillon, Latta and Hannah-Pamplico. Several members of the roster were also connected to college programs, including Erskine, Coker, Florence-Darlington Technical College, Southern Wesleyan, USC Lancaster, Anderson and Francis Marion.

 

Florence was led by head coach Derick Urquhart, who reached a historic personal milestone during the 2026 season.

 

Urquhart became the winningest coach in South Carolina American Legion Baseball history by surpassing legendary Sumter Post 15 coach Wally Jones’ previous mark of 637 career victories.The achievement added another chapter to Urquhart’s distinguished career and reflected the sustained success he has built while leading Florence Post 1. Surpassing the longstanding record during a season that ended with another state championship made the accomplishment even more significant for Urquhart, the program and the Florence baseball community.

Urquhart’s staff included hitting coach Rhodes Dickerson, bench coach Zay Paul, pitching coach Daniel Twitty, assistant pitching coach Robbie Jordan and student assistant Brody Cook.

 

The 2026 championship continues a Florence Post 1 baseball tradition that began nearly a century ago. Established in 1932, the program is recognized as one of the longest-tenured American Legion Baseball teams in the Southeast.

Before the 2026 victory, Florence’s program history included South Carolina state championships in 1942, 1943, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2021 and 2023. Post 1 also won regional championships in 1942, 2012 and 2023 and advanced to the American Legion World Series in 2012 and 2023.

 

The 2026 victory became the ninth South Carolina state championship in the program’s recorded history.

The achievement came at the highest level of South Carolina American Legion Baseball. The Senior Division features many of the state’s top players ages 16 to 19 and provides teams with opportunities to advance from state competition into regional and national postseason play.

 

For the Florence Post 1 players, coaches, families and supporters, the 2026 season will be remembered for dominant pitching, timely offense, a 17-game winning streak, a historic coaching achievement and another championship celebration.

 

Florence opened the scoring, delivered the game’s decisive inning and protected the lead when Fort Mill attempted to rally. When the final out was recorded at Riley Park, Post 1 once again stood at the top of South Carolina American Legion Baseball.

 

The championship provided a fitting conclusion to a season in which Florence Post 1 celebrated both team and individual history.

 

Florence Post 1 — 2026 South Carolina American Legion Baseball Senior State Champions.