Rosewood wins championship

By News-Argus Staff
Published in Sports on April 23, 2006 2:19 AM

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PRINCETON -- Rosewood baseball coach Josh Smith talked to his team before the 2006 Deacon Jones Invitational about heart, determination and stepping up.

Senior Kevin Shanle answered the call, collecting three hits in four at-bats after going 2-for-4 the previous night, leading the Eagles (9-7) to a 13-3 victory over Cary Academy (8-7) in the tournament championship game.

In the consolation game, Princeton (11-4) broke open a close contest with four runs in the fourth inning and defeated Carolina 1-A Conference rival Spring Creek (1-17) by a score of 9-3.

Shanle was named tournament MVP as Rosewood lashed out 12 hits -- including seven for extra bases. It was a stark contrast to Thursday's opening 3-2 extra-inning victory over Spring Creek when Rosewood had just three hits.

"It is good to see the boys come together," Smith said. "Tonight, we played our finest game, putting together pitching, hitting, and defense."

Taylor Allen picked up the win for the Eagles by pitching five strong innings. He allowed only one earned run and scattered five hits. The right-hander worked his way out of bases-loaded jams in the first and fourth innings with a wicked slider that kept Cary Academy hitters off-balance all game long. Kyle Bunn pitched the last inning for Rosewood

Rosewood went ahead in the second inning with two runs on only two hits and took advantage of a wild pitch and a passed ball. Brantley Ellis led off the inning for the Eagles with an infield single and Shanle had an RBI double.

"We all hit the ball well tonight," said Shanle. "I felt real good at the plate and I was seeing the ball well."

Cary Academy starting pitcher Adam Kramer lost his control in the third inning, hitting two Rosewood batters as the Eagles scored another run without the aid of a base hit. Cary Academy coach Ray Pope brought on pitcher Bradley Roberts in relief with only one out and the freshman retired the last two Eagles.

In the fourth inning, Allen helped his own cause with a towering 360-foot two-run homer over the left center field fence. Allen also added a two-RBI triple in the Eagles six-run fifth inning.

"I hope we found our groove hitting tonight," said Smith.

The Eagles ruined any hopes the Chargers had coming back in the home half of the fifth inning as Rosewood added six runs on a single, two doubles, and another triple.

"They were the better team tonight," Pope said. "I thought we could make a good showing, but we ran out of pitching."

Rosewood designated hitter David Smeltzer led off the sixth inning with another home run. Ellis and Shanle followed with a double and a single which gave the Eagles a 10-run lead and ended the game as the mercy rule kicked in.

In the consolation game, Princeton also had a field day at the plate, collecting 12 hits and coming back from their disappointing nine-inning 10-9 loss to Cary Academy the night before.

"We received a little lesson in humility last night," Princeton head coach Bruce Proctor said. "I think we took the other team lightly and we got beat, that bothers me a lot and I hope it bothers the team."

The Bulldogs jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. Speedy Colin Parker had a one-out single and scored on Ryan Daughtry's triple.

Spring Creek went ahead by scoring two runs in second on a single by Alex Casey and doubles by Lucas Potter and Josh Gammon.

After holding the Gators scoreless in the top of the third, Princeton took the lead for good in the bottom of the inning. The Bulldogs produced three hits in the inning -- the big blow being a double by Parker -- as they took a 3-2 lead.

Princeton took control of the game with four runs in their half of the fourth to increase their lead to 7-2. Doubles by Daniel Gerrell and Daughtry chased Spring Creek starter Timothy Rogers with two outs.

Princeton junior Kyle Harmon picked up the win and notched the only complete game of the tournament. The Bulldog committed no errors and continued their strong defensive play.

"Princeton baseball has always been about defense and pitching," said Proctor.

Daughtry went 4-for-4 and almost hit for the cycle to lead the Bulldogs at the plate. The sophomore had two single, a double and a triple. The only player with more than one hit for the Gators was Gammon.

Spring Creek added its final run in the sixth on an RBI-triple by Anthony Brodgen.

Spring Creek coach Roger May was impressed by the Bulldogs.

"The first four innings I thought we were in the game," May said. "You have to play all three phases of the game and they just do things so well."

2006 Deacon Jones Invitational

(At Princeton HS)

Championship Game

Cary Academy 011 100 -- 3 5 3

Rosewood 021 262 -- 13 12 0

Leading hitters -- Cary Academy -- Charles Hendren 1-3, run; Adam Kramer 1-2, RBI. Rosewood -- Trey Kriger 1-3, 2B, 2 runs, RBI; Kyle Bunn 2-3, 2B, 3B; David Smeltzer 2-3, HR, 2 runs, RBI; Brantley Ellis 2-3, 2B, 3 runs, 2 RBI; Kevin Shanle 3-4, 2 runs, RBI; Taylor Allen 2-3, 3B, HR, 2 runs, 4 RBI.

IP H R ER BB SO

Cary Academy

A. Kramer (L) 21/3 3 3 3 3 1

B. Roberts 22/3 9 6 9 1 3

Roberts pitched to 5 batters in the sixth

Rosewood

Taylor Allen (W) 5 5 5 1 3 7

K. Bunn 1 0 0 0 1 1

Consolation Game

Spring Creek 020 001 0 -- 3 7 2

Princeton 102 420 x -- 9 12 0

Leading hitters -- Spring Creek -- Josh Gammon 2-4, 2B, RBI; Alex Casey 1-1, run, RBI; Lucas Potter 1-3, 2B, run; Anthony Brogden 1-3 3B, RBI; Josh Singleton 1-3; Timothy Rogers 1-4. Princeton -- Patrick Gatewood 3-4, 2 runs, RBI; Colin Parker 2-4, 2B, 3 runs, RBI; Daniel Gerrell 1-4, 2B, run, 3 RBI; Ryan Daughtry 4-4, 2B, 3B, 2 RBI; Adam Nethercutt 1-4, run; Dustin Pate 1-2, 2B, run, RBI.

IP H R ER BB SO

Spring Creek

T. Rogers (L) 32/3 8 7 4 2 5

P. Hayes 11/3 3 2 1 0 0

R. Grady 1 1 0 0 0 2

Princeton

K. Harmon (W) 7 7 3 3 3 5