Warriors denied win at Grimsley tournament

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on March 27, 2005 2:09 AM

• Print
• Email

GREENVILLE -- Eastern Wayne stumbled 2-1 against D.H. Conley in the opening game of the Jimmie R. Grimsley Hot Stove League tournament on Saturday afternoon at Guy Smith Stadium.

Tied at 1-1 in the bottom of the sixth inning, Alex White drew a two-out walk against Warrior starter Jesse Lancaster. Mike Taylor blooped a single onto the grass behind first base and White rounded third on the play.

Eastern Wayne nearly caught White in an inning-ending rundown, but failed to cleanly field the throw. White, also the winning pitcher, crossed home for the eventual game-winning run.

"It was a well-pitched ball game by both pitchers," Warriors coach Jabo Fulghum said. "White was very impressive and so was Lancaster. Jesse threw his heart out today. You can't ask for any better of an effort."

Lancaster helped ignite a third-inning rally that produced the game's first run. After John Yates doubled, Lancaster executed the sacrifice to push Yates to third. Airlon Vinson plated Yates with a double -- the second of three hits allowed by White in his complete-game performance.

Tanner Jones tied the game at 1-1 in the fourth with a solo home run.

"A hanging curveball," Fulghum said. "That was the only bad pitch of the day and he capitalized on it."

Yates finished the game as the lone multiple hitter -- a 2-for-3 effort. Lancaster gave up five hits and struck out six in a six-inning stint.

White recorded eight strikeouts and walked two Warriors.

"I'm not disappointed in our kids' effort at all," Fulghum said. "Even though we lost, we improved today in all areas."

Eastern Wayne (5-3) continues play in the three-day tournament Monday against Boone Watauga. Game time is 1 p.m.