Hunt's Lee no-hits Eastern Wayne

By Ryan Hanchett
Published in Sports on March 16, 2008 2:03 AM

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Zack Lee threw a no-hitter and Wilson Hunt remained the Class 3-A Eastern Carolina Conference baseball co-leader with an 11-0, five-inning decision over Eastern Wayne.

Lee notched three strikeouts and yielded two walks in the mercy-rule shortened game.

"They out-pitched us, they out-hit us, and they played better defense than we did today," Eastern Wayne coach Jabo Fulghum said. "They're a good team and to their credit, they put the ball in play and we did not."

Hunt (6-1 overall, 2-0 ECC) broke open the game in a decisive third inning. The visiting Warriors sent 11 men to the plate and grabbed a commanding 8-0 lead.

Jerome Richardson reached on an error and eventually moved to third on a hit batsman and walk. Hunt cranked out four base hits to plate five runs and Richardson, during his second at-bat in the inning, provided a two-RBI single.

Lee prevented Eastern Wayne (3-4, 1-1) from finding an offensive rhythm. The host Warriors didn't advance a runner past second base and Hunt's middle infield turned in a solid defensive performance.

"I thought we did a pretty good job all day in the field," said first-year Hunt head coach Jon Smith. "(Shortstop) Blake Jones made several plays to keep guys from getting on. I didn't realize that Zack hadn't allowed a hit, but I was really pleased with his overall performance.

"We have a talented team, and top to bottom I thought we played well."

Meanwhile, Eastern Wayne continued its search for a "go-to" starter on the mound.

"Our pitching has been so up and down, and was again today. John Wooten has had a tough start of the season and he hasn't been able to locate his off-speed stuff," said Fulghum. "When the only pitch that is in the strike zone is the fast ball, teams will learn to sit on that pitch."

"Right now Michael Mintz is the only guy that has given us consistent strong innings, and that's a problem."