Baseball -- Princeton wins key Carolina battle

Published in Sports on April 4, 2004 9:20 AM

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PRINCETON -- Last year's game between Farmville Central and Princeton at the Bulldogs' field went 16 innings.

Though 9 1/2 innings shorter, Friday's game was just as exciting. Playing for first place in the Class 1-A Carolina Conference, Princeton broke a 1-1 tie in the bottom of the sixth and held on for a 2-1 win.

The Bulldogs claimed sole possession first place in the conference at 4-1. Defending Carolina champion Farmville Central dropped to 3-2 along with Spring Creek, Rosewood and archrival Ayden-Grifton.

"It's early yet," said Princeton coach Bruce Proctor. "We haven't even been through the first round of conference games yet."

Fans were treated to outstanding pitching by Farmville's Tommy Cobb and Princeton's Colin Parker, each of whom pitched a two-hitter. Only a freshman, Parker picked up his third win of the season without a defeat, and broke up Cobb's bid for a no-hitter with a single in the sixth.

"I don't have enough adjectives in my vocabulary to describe what he's done so far," said Proctor. "He's come up big in a lot of games for us so far."

Cobb retired the first eight batters in a row before he walked first baseman Bren Hall. Hall eventually scored the first run of the game on two infield errors.

Farmville was not without its chances. The Jaguars (5-6) left two runners on base in four innings. They tied the score in their half of the fifth when Chad Bagley came home on a fielder's choice.

A tenacious Princeton defense silenced Farmville. Third baseman Daniel Gerrell, also a freshman, assisted on four put outs.

"Even though we're playing him out of position, he came up with some big time plays for us tonight," said Proctor.

Outfielders Brooks Moore, Thomas Turnage and Zach Harmon each made a key catch. Parker got out of the sixth inning on a 6-4-3 double play.

In the bottom of the sixth, Hall reached on an error, then was picked off by Cobb before Gatewood walked. Parker singled, then was caught in a run down with Gatewood taking third. To the relief of Proctor and the Princeton faithful, catcher Dustin Myers singled, driving in Gatewood.

"We didn't get that big hit tonight," said Farmville coach John Galeazzi. "Then, when you leave all those runners on base, it's tough. Cobb pitched a smart game. He deserved to win."

Farmville Central entertains Ayden-Grifton next Tuesday, while Princeton is the guest of archrival Rosewood. Both games are slated for 7 p.m. starts.

Farmville Central 000 010 0 -- 1 2 3

Princeton 001 001 x -- 2 2 1

Leading hitters -- Farmville Central -- Jeremey Rauls hit; Tommy Cobb hit. Princeton -- Colin Parker hit; Dustin Myers hit.

IP H R ER BB SO

Farmville Central

Cobb (L, 2-3) 6 2 2 0 3 6

Princeton

Parker (W, 3-0) 7 2 1 0 5 4