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<\/b><\/p>\nBy Thomas Grant Jr.<\/i><\/p>\n
Brandon Cromer Jr. is in the middle portion of a personal “journey”.<\/p>\n
Since undergoing Tommy John surgery a year ago, the former Lexington High School standout has worked to regain his pitching form. He spent his redshirt year at the University of South Carolina healing and building up his arm strength away from active competition.<\/p>\n
This summer, Cromer has begun throwing again in games for the Lexington County Blowfish. His first season with the team has seen him utilized for one inning as a starter.<\/p>\n
The results have been encouraging as he’s not allowed no runs. This is positive for Cromer who initially had concerns as he dealt with tightness following the surgery.<\/p>\n
“It’s coming along pretty nice,” Cromer said. “Have some doubts every now and then, but I just got to keep praying up to God and let him take over and just got to focus on what you know and you’ve got to do what you do.”<\/p>\n
At this point, Cromer is comfortable throwing a variety of pitches. He’s actually “topping out” higher post-surgery when it comes to his fastball and looks forward to having removed all the safety protocols.<\/p>\n
Cromer hopes to get at full strength for the upcoming season with the Gamecocks and new head coach Kevin Schnall. After a couple of conversations, Cromer said he’s excited about the prospect of helping to “swing things around” with the once championship program.<\/p>\n
“He’s very straight forward,” he said. “We need that in baseball. He’s coming off a great year, a great past two years. He’s had a great career leading up to this and we’re looking to do some more with it and even get our own national championship.”<\/p>\n
‘Hooties Night’ raises $11,474<\/b><\/p>\n
<\/b><\/p>\n
The fourth annual ‘Hooties Night’ at Lexington County Baseball Stadium held last Friday provided another large donation for the Lexington Health Foundation.<\/p>\n
The organization runs a Partners Program aimed at recruiting future health care workers from high school to work in the medical profession.<\/p>\n
A major part of the fundraising effort took place at the team’s website. Bids were taken online for the auctioning of the red, white and blue “Hooties” jerseys worn by the Blowfish players during the Alumni Game.<\/p>\n
At least two of the jerseys were signed by all four members of Hootie and the Blowfish. While
none of their members were in attendance, their music was played throughout the evening.
The Hootie and the Blowfish Foundation also matched the funds up to $10,000
raised in the auction. By the end of the evening, Blowfish co-owner presented Foundation
leaders a check for $11,174 to go towards its Partners Program.<\/p>\n
This has raised the total amount raised from “Hooties” night to close to $60,000.
As for the Alumni Game, the current Blowfish came away with the 9-4 victory. This year’s
current “Mr. Blowfish” Parker Mergo of Brookland-Cayce High School drove in three runs and
both Larson Scholtz and Connor Nobles each had 2-run triples.<\/p>\n
Among the returning former players were former “Mr. Blowfish” Jared Williams of Gilbert, Alex Staton, who had an RBI, and all-time franchise career wins head coach Jonathan Johnson.<\/p>\n
WEEEKEND FOR HEROES<\/b><\/p>\n
The Blowfish started a 5-game homestand Wednesday against the Florence Flamingos and play host Thursday to the West Division-leading Asheboro Zookeepers.<\/p>\n
The next two nights will be devoted to saluting those selfless workers in the Midlands community. Friday is Heroes Night is devoted to the community servicepeople and will feature a 7-inning exhibition between the Glowfish and Catawba Valley Stars.<\/p>\n
On Saturday, the U.S. Army will make the trip to Lexington County Baseball Stadium as part of Fort Jackson Night. The Blowfish will face the Greenville Yard Gnomes before a busload of recruits stationed in Columbia.<\/p>\n
The homestand concludes with games Monday against the Boone Bigfoot and Wednesday versus Florence.<\/p>\n
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