he following article about Friday's game was written by Manchester Senior, Cory Van Dyke.

On Friday night, Manchester’s Austin Keesee was the one who made it happen, as his walk-off single helped the Lancers capture the Conference 3 title over Cosby, 6-5.

The conference championship was Manchester’s second in a row, after the Lancers defeated Clover Hill for the Conference 12 crown last year.

Cosby appeared to have the game under control following Joe Hunt’s bases clearing double to give the Titans a 5-1 lead in the 3rd inning. However, Manchester wasn’t ready to go away that easily. The rally began in the 6th after the Lancers cut Cosby’s lead to one following a bases loaded hit by pitch, a sac fly by Keesee, and an RBI single from JT Creed.

Heading into the 7th inning down a run, Will Edwards and Aaron Colyer got the wheels rolling with back-to-back doubles. Then with the bases loaded, J-Ross Cranor tied the game with a sac fly and the scene was set for Keesee’s heroics. Shane Murawski picked up the win on the mound with 2 ? innings of scoreless pitching in relief.

This wasn’t just a Conference 3 championship for Manchester, however. This was a resilient comeback victory for the Conference 3 championship over the Lancer’s biggest foe.

“Cosby has historically been our biggest rivals,” Keesee said. “We came over here, got one against them early in the season, then they took one against us after we had a big lead at our place. It felt good to come back and get that redemption.”

Now heading forward, Manchester (14-5) will take on C.D. Hylton at home Monday in the 6A South Regional. The staff’s ace, Zach Newman, is expected to get the start on the bump. The Lancers are confident and expecting a magical end to their season.

“It’s just all for the team right now,” said Cranor. “I couldn’t ask for a better season with a better group of guys. It’s all for the seniors and Mr. Koste for sure. We’re ring chasing.”

It remains to be seen how far Manchester’s postseason ride will take them, but if anything, it should be noted that the Lancers can never be counted out after their exhibition of guts and poise in the face of adversity.