Prep baseball playoff action

By News-Argus Staff
Published in Sports on May 13, 2007 2:03 AM

• Print
• Email

Rosewood erupted for eight runs in the first two innings combined and hammered Pamlico County 10-4 in their opening-round, Class 1-A N.C. High School Athletic Association baseball playoff game Friday evening.

David Smeltzer supplied an RBI single and Taylor Allen ripped a two-RBI double to highlight a three-run first inning. Cody Richards, Chris Hare and Holt Rains combined for five RBI in the second inning as the Eagles built a comfortable 8-1 advantage.

The Eagles added single runs in the third and sixth innings.

Rains and Richards emerged the offensive leaders with two hits apiece and a combined six RBI. Garrett Howell and Josh Hamilton each contributed a hit for Rosewood, which was making its first postseason appearance in four years.

Allen allowed five hits and fanned nine Hurricane batters in a five-inning stint. Richards tossed two innings of two-hit, two-strikeout relief.

Rosewood (17-5 overall) travels to East Columbus on Tuesday.

So. Wayne drops heartbreaker on road

HOLLYWOOD -- Southern Wayne nearly took down reigning N.C. High School Athletic Association 3-A state champion D.H. Conley on Friday evening.

The Vikings' Chase Hardy hit a 1-2 fastball from Saints right-hander Sterling Grice into right field with a runner on first during the middle part of the game. The outfielder dove for the ball, but missed it and it bounced all the way to the wall.

The run stood and D.H. Conley prevailed 1-0 in the opening-round playoff game.

Southern Wayne had plenty of opportunities to score, especially in the first and seventh innings. Tyler Edwards connected on a lead-off single and advanced to third on a passed ball. However, Edwards was left stranded at third.

In the seventh, the Saints put runners on first and second with one out. Both runners took off on what appeared to be a wild pitch, but the catcher turned a game-ending double play.

Grice finished with a four-hitter and four strikeouts. He contributed a base hit along with Edwards, Scott Holloman and senior right fielder Doogie Niemond.

Southern Wayne concluded the year 12-15 overall.

Hawks begin defense of 2-A state title

LaGRANGE -- Two-time N.C. High School Athletic Association 2-A state champion North Lenoir began defense of its crown with a 10-0, five-inning decision over Franklinton.

C.C. Croom batted 3-for-3 with an RBI, while Bryce Grady and Carter Capps provided two hits and two RBI apiece.

Brandon Sutton threw five scoreless innings and fanned nine Red Ram batters for the mound win.

North Lenoir (22-3 overall) entertains Graham on Tuesday.