WCDS finishes 2-0 in inaugural Charger Baseball Classic

By Ryan Hanchett
Published in Sports on April 19, 2009 2:01 AM

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Wayne Country Day wrapped up the inaugural Charger Baseball Classic with a 13-3, five-inning victory over Trinity of Durham on Friday afternoon.

Despite the final score, the Chargers found themselves in an early battle.

Trinity, which trailed 3-1 after two innings, mounted a third-inning charge.

George Broughton laced a single into center field and stole second base. Will Govert plated Broughton with a single two batters later. Todd Eckstein tied the game at 3-3 by reaching on a Charger error as Govert scored.

"We definitely came out a little flat," said Wayne Country Day head coach Michael Taylor. "Some of our guys stayed for Trinity's game (Thursday) and saw them lose to Ahoskie. We definitely wound up with a battle today."

The Chargers reclaimed the lead in the bottom of the fourth inning.

Ryan Jackson was hit by a pitch and advanced to second on Cole Davis' single. Cody Neal followed with a three-run blast that permanently changed the game's momentum.

Wayne Country Day iced the contest one inning later.

With one out, Davis reached on a Lion miscue that drove in Dare Uzzell from third. Neal plated a second run by bouncing into a fielder's choice. Cameron Ford delivered an RBI single and was followed by Jack Scott's three-run double.

Tee Uzzell ended the game with an RBI single that plated Scott and invoked the mercy rule.

"Our bats really came alive over the last two innings," said Taylor. "I think their pitcher started to get a little tired and we took advantage with some hard-hit balls."

By ending the game in the fifth inning the Chargers wrapped up a complete-game win on the mound for Davis, who was ready to be removed prior to the seven-run offensive explosion. Davis allowed six hits, two walks and one earned run.

"I was going to bring in a new pitcher in the sixth, but as it turned out I didn't need to," Taylor said. "Cole did a very good job throwing strikes and it paid off with the win."

The Chargers (5-5 overall) entertain perennial power Waccamaw Academy on Tuesday.