Aycock exacts revenge on So. Wayne

By Ryan Hanchett
Published in Sports on April 27, 2008 2:03 AM

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DUDLEY -- It ain't over until it's over.

The Charles B. Aycock softball team brought Yogi Berra's immortal words to life Friday against Class 3-A Eastern Carolina Conference rival Southern Wayne. And Berra would have been proud.

The Golden Falcons prevailed 3-1 and tied the Saints for first place in the ECC standings at 7-2. Each team has one regular-season game remaining against Wilson Beddingfield next week.

Aycock (17-4 overall) jumped out in front during a brief third-inning rally. Stevie Savage reached on an error, moved into scoring position on a sacrifice fly and scampered home on a wild pitch.

"Sometimes you make decisions and they don't work out, but tonight we were fortunate to capitalize on our opportunities," said Golden Falcons head coach Brad Matthews. "Our girls did a good job at the plate, and they were up and intense all game long."

Southern Wayne attempted to answer with runners in scoring position during the next three innings. The Saints' effort turned fruitless each time as they failed to connect on a timely hit.

"We just didn't get it done with runners on base tonight," said Saints head coach Michael Wiggs. "It seems like we have put ourselves in position to score in the last two games, but haven't delivered any runs."

The Golden Falcons added an insurance run in the top of the sixth. Torie Benton drew a lead-off walk. Two batters later, Benton raced home on an errant throw after Emily Jordan reached base on a single.

Already ahead 2-0, Aycock went back to work in its final at-bat. Brooke Edgerton led off with a single and trotted home two batters later when the Saints' outfield misplayed Savage's base hit.

All three Aycock runs were unearned.

Southern Wayne (17-4) made one final push in the seventh.

Brianna Lofton drew a one-out walk and scored when shortstop Alyssa Bradshaw doubled off the fence. But Jordan quickly silenced the rally with a game-ending groundout.

"Emily was great for us tonight," said Matthews. "You could see it in her eyes when she got on the bus, she was determined and she was ready to go. We have been working on our defense this week and not having an error in a game like this is so important."

Wiggs remained confident in his team.

"We still control our own destiny, we have to play Beddingfield next Thursday, and if we win that one, the worst we can do is end up co-champions," Wiggs said. "Beddingfield is a scrappy team and I told the girls that we can't rely on the fact that we beat them once before."

Aycock visits Beddingfield on Tuesday.