Baseball -- Princeton survives Greefield School

By News-Argus Staff
Published in Sports on March 14, 2004 2:00 AM

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PRINCETON -- How do you spell relief? Or relievers?

Prince-ton baseball coach Bruce Proctor is still trying to sort out his pitching rotation after Thurs-day night's dramatic come-from-behind 11-10 win over visiting Greenfield School.

The win marked the second time this week that Proctor's charges took one late in the game from the Knights. Although the Bulldogs finished non-conference play at 4-1, they open Carolina Conference 1-A play Tuesday against perennial powerhouse Ayden-Grifton.

The Greenfield game had a little bit of everything.

Princeton starter Colin Parker was perfect over the two innings he pitched, striking out two. Princeton was temporarily baffled by Greenfield starter Michael Glynne. Normally a third baseman, Glynne's slower speed and variety of motions kept Bulldog batters guessing early.

Princeton got off to a 4-0 lead after two innings. In the first, Patrick Gatewood and Parker scored after walking to open the game. In the second, Gatewood tripled to drive in Brandon Pate, who had singled, and Bren Hall, who had reached on a fielder's choice.

Greenfield scored four runs in the third and three in the fourth off four hits, four walks, and a missed ball on an infield fly rule play. Princeton kept nibbling away at the Greenfield lead. They pushed solo runs across in both the fourth and fifth innings, giving their guests a 7-6 lead going into the final inning.

Greenfield made it 10-6 going into the bottom of the seventh off three singles, a hit batsman, a walk, and a catcher interference call.

Lady Luck again smiled Princeton's way.

Dustin Myers led off the inning with a triple. Three consecutive errors by the Greenfield shortstop brought in Myers, Daniel Gerrell, Brooks Moore, and Brandon Pate to tie the score.

With one out, and Gatewood at the plate, reliever Mike Nelson threw two passed balls that brought designated hitter Robert Gurley home from second with the winning run.

"Too many errors," said Greenfield coach Robert Stokey.

"The best thing I can say is that it was a win," said Proctor.

As for the Tuesday game at Ayden-Grifton, "they're the state runner-up, they generally walk through this league each year. What else can you say."

Greenfield 004 300 3 -- 10

Princeton 220 110 5 -- 11

Leading hitters -- Greenfield -- Austin Bass 3 hits. Princeton -- Patrick Gatewood 2 hits. Gatewood, Dustin Myers, 3b.

IP H R ER BB SO

Greenfield School (0-2)

Glynne 3 2/3 4 5 2 3 0

Grady 2 1/3 1 5 0 3 0

Nelson (L, 0-1) 0 0 0 0 1 0

Princeton (4-1)

Parker 2 0 0 0 0 2

Gerrell 1 1 4 0 0 2

Harmon 1 4 2 0 1 0

Myers (W, 1-0) no line available