Summerville forfeiture upheld following 11-0 vote by SCHSL

SUMMERVILLE, S.C. (WCBD) – The South Carolina High School League (SCHSL) Executive Committee voted 11-0 Tuesday denying Summerville High’s appeal of a forfeited baseball game with Ashley Ridge.

The Green Wave’s case, led by Principal Michelle Leviner, and Athletic Director Matt Legare, was based on three arguments: The spirit of the pitch count rule as it pertains to pitcher safety, the new rule wasn’t communicated sufficiently to school officials/coaches, and the punishment of forfeiture is too severe.

Summerville’s appeal was denied, and the school has 24 hours to file for appeal to the SCHSL Appellate Panel; however, Principal Leviner said Tuesday afternoon the school would not appeal the decision.

“We tried as hard as we could to advocate to keep the focus on any consequences or sanctions on the adults and allow our boys to play. Unfortunately, we did not prevail. The ruling did not go our way. But I do not want this ruling to overshadow the great season that our varsity baseball team had. Only they know what they went through and how they battled to get where they did this season.” said Leviner. “While this is not the outcome we were hoping for, we will be rooting for Ashley Ridge High School, our sister school, as they compete for the State Championship against Lexington in the next several days.”

It stems from a Lower State Final game held last Thursday where Summerville’s pitcher, Thayer Tavormina, went over his allotment of pitches – 75 – after pitching to two batters the previous night.

Rules from the South Carolina High School League (SCHSL) state that going over allotment triggers a forfeit, effectively making Ashley Ridge High School the winner in that game.

The SCHSL upheld the forfeit on Friday night and the Summerville Green Wave filed an appeal. That appeal will be heard by the league’s executive committee in a virtual meeting Tuesday morning.

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