Post 11 Seniors misfire in Area I East opener

By Gabe Whisnant
Published in Sports on June 1, 2005 1:57 PM

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WASHINGTON -- Wayne County Post 11 managed only six hits, failed to score eight base runners over the last three innings and fell 5-3 to Beaufort County in ts Area I East Division opener Tuesday night.

It was Post 11's first game in nine days as Wayne County (2-1) will take on league foe Rocky Mount tonight in a contest to be held at Rocky Mount Academy.

Beaufort, which never trailed, jumped on Post 11 starter Adam Williams for three runs in the first. Leadoff batter Michael Eastwood singled, advanced on a wild pitch and scored on a hit to center by Michael Twichell. Aaron Mobley, who was solid in four innings on the mound for Beaufort, sent the next pitch over the right field fence.

Williams didn't allow any more runs, but he never managed to retire the side in order in his final three innings. He gave up six hits and four walks.

Post 11 closed the gap in the third.

Bennett Jeffreys reached on an error, and Jackson Massey singled through the right side of the infield with one out. Jesse Lancaster grounded to the third baseman, who tagged third, but his throw to first sailed high. That left runners on second and third. Massey scored on a passed ball, and Jes Snyder drove in Lancaster.

Another Beaufort miscue in the sixth allowed Wayne County to tie it. Snyder walked, and Airlon Vinson grounded to third, but the throw to second was wide. Vinson got caught stealing, but Matthew Holloman hit a line drive off the third baseman to make it 3-3.

The tie was short-lived as Beaufort struck back with two in the bottom of the inning against Brandon Price. Dennis Butts doubled to right, then scored when pinch-hitter John Brown punched a 1-2 pitch inside the bag at first for a hit. He eventually came around on a sacrifice fly.

Wayne County didn't lack opportunities in the final three innings. Three walks in the eighth got Snyder to the plate with two outs, but he struck out looking.

In the eighth, Vinson got things going with a lead-off single. Holloman walked, and the runners advanced on a bunt by Austin Hood. Moye drew another walk to load the bases again. This time, a grounder to first got Vinson at home and Sutton grounded out to the pitcher to end the threat.

Post 11 had one more chance in the ninth.

Lancaster walked and Snyder singled to center. With the runners going, Vinson drilled a liner to center, and Lancaster, who had rounded third, was doubled off second to end the game.

Mobley pitched four innings, allowing three hits and striking out seven with no walks.

Wayne County is batting .238 for the season.