Babe Ruth recap: Wayne County 8Us playing strong at Laurinburg

By News-Argus Staff
Published in Sports on July 15, 2007 2:03 AM

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LAURINBURG -- Wayne County defeated Broadway 20-0 and finished unbeaten in pool play during the Eastern N.C. Babe Ruth 8U Rookie League machine-pitch state tournament.

Wayne County compiled a 4-0 record and earned a opening-round bye in the single-elimination portion of the 26-team tournament. Coach Chad Pate's team opposes either Southern Pitt or Hamlet at 2 p.m. today.

"They're really doing well and the defense was a bit shaky the first couple of games, but our bats have really picked up," said Pate.

In four games, Wayne County turned three double plays and outscored its opponents 81-22.

Bryce Anders and Noah Daniels emerged Wayne County's offensive leaders with three hits apiece against Broadway. Bradley Pate, Chandler Gentry, Landon Casey, Chris Turner and Joey Hampton each contributed two hits.

Wayne County knocked off Fairfield 14-4 on Saturday morning.

Gentry pounded out three hits. Ashton McGee, Anders and Turners provided two hits apiece.

On Friday, Wayne County opened pool play with a 28-2 shelling of Spring Hope. Pate, Gentry and McGee paced the offense with three hits apiece. Anders, Casey, Turner and Hampton each managed two hits.

In their second game, Wayne County out-slugged Winter Park 19-16. McGee led the offense with a tournament-high four hits, while Daniels banged out three hits.

Pate, Anders, Casey and Turner rapped out two hits apiece.

Softball

Wayne Co. 8Us still alive

LUCAMA -- Three players delivered two-hit performances as Wayne County eliminated Camden County 12-1 in Eastern N.C. Babe Ruth 8U State tournament action.

Payton Lane tripled in a 2-for-3 outing, while Ashley Mariner and McKenzie Wheeler each contributed two hits.

Wayne County remained alive in the losers' bracket with a 9-3 conquest of Pitt County. McKenzie Turnage, Becky Coor and Dallas Jones recorded two hits apiece.

Haley Thurston and Wheeler each tripled.

Wayne County opened the double-elimination tournament with an 11-2 loss to New Bern. Wheeler, Rylee Pate (double) and Lane notched two hits apiece.

Wayne Co. 12U teams ousted

LUCAMA -- The Wayne County Blue and Red All-Star teams each posted a disappointing 0-2 record in the Eastern N.C. Babe Ruth 12U State tournament.

WC Blue opened with a 3-0 loss to Johnston County. Skylar McCarty, Ivy Hartzelle and Sarah Marquis each had one hit. WC Blue followed that up with a tournament-ending 2-1 defeat against Newport. Marquis batted 1-for-3.

WC Red began the tournament with a 5-0 setback against South Granville. Jennifer Pate doubled in a 2-for-2 effort, while Brittany Williams and Katie Gay each batted 1-for-2.

The Red All-Stars concluded tournament play with a 4-3 loss against Roanoke Rapids. Williams provided two hits in three at-bats.