It was a shot heard all over Cayce and West Columbia, Wednesday night.

A three-run blast off the bat of Brandon Caughman, an Airport graduate, in the bottom of the fifth inning propelled West Columbia American Legion Post 79 to a 9-3 win over Aiken. The game was played on the campus of Brookland-Cayce High School.

West Columbia Coach Johnny Harper said the win over Aiken was very important. It evens West Columbia’s record at 3-3. West Columbia plays at Aiken Friday and at Lexington next Wednesday. All three of those teams are battling for a playoff spot.

“Our pitching was better tonight,” said Harper. “And we hit the ball and cut down on the mental mistakes.”

Before the game-flipping home run, West Columbia had only mustered one run when Dylan Williamson (Pelion High School) stole home in the bottom of the third. Aiken’s Cam Mitchem scored a run in the top of the second and Dalton Graves crossed the plate in the top of the third. Aiken also loaded the bases in the third, but starting West Columbia pitcher Justin Allen got out of the inning, coaxing a fly to center field.

Aiken was able to pick up a third run in the fourth inning, when Nolan Grice scored on a wild pitch. That put Aiken up 3-1. 

In the fifth Dalton Mims reached base, along with Williamson, before Caughman’s homer.

West Columbia put the game out of reach with five runs in the sixth. The scoring began when a Garrett Drew (a Brookland-Cayce grad) bunt was misplayed and Hunter Mullinax and Allen scored to put West Columbia up 6-3. Reed Charpia, also a Brookland-Cayce grad, who was 2-for-4 on the night, then singled in Drew. Charpia scored on a double by Williamson, who also went 2-for-4. Williams also scored.

Dalton Mims (Airport) got the win for West Columbia. Brad Golden was charged with the loss for Aiken.