Wayne County Babe Ruth teams remain alive in state tournament play

By News-Argus Staff
Published in Sports on July 22, 2007 2:01 AM

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WASHINGTON -- Bobby Hampton and Brannon Presson pounded out four hits apiece and Wayne County dismantled Laurinburg 13-5 in elimination-round play in the Eastern N.C. Babe Ruth 10U state tournament.

Presson's complete-game, four-strikeout effort vaulted Wayne County into today's championship game against unbeaten West Raleigh. The contest is slated for a 2 p.m. start and Wayne County must win twice to earn a regional berth.

Ryan Davis added two hits in Wayne County's 19-hit attack.

"Brannon gave up a lot of hits, but we played good defense behind him," said Wayne County head coach Heath Smitherman.

Wayne County started its march to the finals with a 7-5 triumph over Washington. Ryan Faucette doubled and singled twice, while Brannon and Jacob Hollingsworth each provided one hit.

Ryan Davis scattered seven hits and fanned eight Washington batters in a complete-game performance.

West tripled and Jacob Harrison doubled as Wayne County ousted Southern Pitt 3-2. Hank Smitherman, Noah Reese and Tyler Powell contributed one hit apiece in the nail-biting affair.

Pitchers Gurley and Faucette combined for five hits and four strikeouts.

Wayne County collected its second consecutive one-run victory with a shutout over Wilmington Winter Park Optimist. West yielded six hits and six strikeouts as coach Smitherman's team earned its third consecutive win.

Faucette batted 3-for-3. West, Davis and Hollingsworth each singled.

"We're the only team to score on West Raleigh in the tournament and we're looking forward to playing them again," said Smitherman. "Regardless of what happens, it's been a good ride with these boys."

13s fall

FARMVILLE -- Lumberton defeated Wayne County 8-5 and remained the lone unbeaten team in the Eastern N.C. Babe Ruth 13 State tournament at Farmville Central High School.

Wayne County, which suffered its first postseason loss, opposes either Greenville or West Raleigh at 4 p.m. today. The winner meets Lumberton in the finals at 7 p.m.

Derek Limbaugh surrendered 11 hits, walked three and hit one Lumberton batter in a complete-game effort. Zach Grantham batted 3-for-3, while Keenan Winn, Bryant Stafford and Will Winslow provided one hit apiece.

"Derek pitched well enough to win and we just didn't hit enough," said Wayne County head coach Rick Grantham. "Lumberton pitched well and was prepared well."

Wayne County (5-1) needed an extra day to drop Greenville into the losers' bracket. Stafford threw a complete-game, five-hitter and struck out three in a 6-3 win.

Grantham paced Wayne County with two hits. Stafford, Benito Avila, Winn and Limbaugh each contributed one hit.