Princeton tops Spring Creek

By News-Argus Staff
Published in Sports on April 26, 2006 2:09 PM

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SEVEN SPRINGS -- League-leading Princeton added another weapon to its arsenal in the Bulldogs' 12-0 Carolina 1-A Conference victory over Spring Creek on Tuesday night.

Junior Dustin Pate, making his first start of the year on the mound, threw a four-hit shutout and struck out 10 Gators along the way.

"He has a little arm trouble and we have kind of eased him along, he came out tonight and did a great job," said Princeton head coach Bruce Proctor.

Pate also went 3-for-4 at the plate with two runs and three RBIs.

The Bulldogs scored all the runs they would need in the opening inning. Patrick Gatewood led off the first with a walk and stole second base. He scored on a double in the right centerfield gap by Colin Parker. Parker scored on the first of two RBI singles by Daniel Gerrell. Base hits by and Ryan Daughtry and Pate produced two more runs as Princeton took an early 5-0 lead.

Spring Creek had three of its four hits in the first two innings. Michael Russell and Josh Gammon started the first for the Gators with base hits. Shortsop Timothy Rogers followed with a line shot to first baseman Adam Nethercutt who made the catch and doubled the runner off first.

Anthony Brogden stroked a single in the second, but the Gators again left two runners in scoring position.

"Our approach at the plate after the second inning was not very good," Spring Creek head coach Roger May said. "We were not focused."

The Bulldogs added three more runs in the second inning with the big blow being Parker's second double as Princeton drilled 12 hits for the second consecutive game.

"I feel like the games in the tournament (Deacon Jones Invitational) helped us last week, we seem to be in a groove and we are getting good hitting from top to bottom," Proctor said.

Spring Creek brought in right-hander Alex Casey to pitch in the third inning. The sophomore shut down the Bulldogs for two innings.

"He is young and still learning and has some tools and is going to help our program," said May.

Pate seemed to get stronger for Princeton as the game went on as he struck out the side in the fourth and sixth innings.

The Bulldogs increased their lead to 9-0 with a run in the fifth on Pate's long double to left and a single by Jared McLamb.

The visitors closed out the scoring with three runs in the sixth inning on hits Daughtry, Nethercutt and Pate.

Princeton and Spring Creek continue conference play this week as the Bulldogs travel to North Duplin on Thursday night while the Gators host Ayden-Grifton on Friday night.

Princeton 530 013 -- 12 12 2

Spring Creek 000 000 -- 0 4 2

Leading hitters -- Princeton -- Colin Parker 2-3, 2 2B, 2 runs, 2 RBI; Daniel Gerrell 2-4, 2 runs, 2 RBI; Ryan Daughtry 2-4, 2B, 2 runs, RBI; Adam Nethercutt 1-3, run; Dustin Pate 3-4, 2B, 2 runs, 3 RBI; Jared McLamb 2-3, RBI. Spring Creek -- Michael Russell 1-3; Josh Gammon 1-2; Anthony Brogden 1-3; Alex Casey 1-2.

IP H R ER BB SO

Princeton (12-5)

D. Pate (W) 6 4 0 0 2 10

Spring Creek (1-19)

A. Brogden (L) 2 6 8 7 2 1

A. Casey 21/3 3 1 1 2 1

P. Hayes 1 3 3 3 1 0

K. Prunest 2/3 0 0 0 1 0