Rosewood turns back Midway

By Ryan Hanchett
Published in Sports on May 20, 2009 1:47 PM

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SPIVEY'S CORNER -- Rosewood staged a seventh-inning rally and turned back Midway 3-0 in their second-round, N.C. High School Athletic Association Class 1-A baseball contest Tuesday evening.

The Eagles broke a scoreless tie in their final at-bat.

Scott Pate collected a lead-off single and two batters later, James McNeill delivered the game-deciding play. McNeill put down a sacrifice bunt that was overthrown at first base and allowed Pate to race home. McNeill took third base on a second errant throw during the same play.

Taylor Price reached on a catcher's interference call. Matt Neal supplied a two-RBI single to cap Rosewood's final-inning surge.

"The plan was to let the guys feel it out at the plate over the first few innings," said Rosewood head coach Jason King. "As we got to the sixth and into the seventh, we decided it was time to put some guys in motion and force the issue.

"James laid down a great bunt and an error allowed us to score."

Midway (14-9) threatened in its last plate appearance.

Anthony Horne belted a lead-off single and Jordan Ferthing doubled to put runners on second and third with no outs. Ferthing's extra-base hit caused a little trouble for the Eagles' Jonathan Frank, who had to dodge a field-goal post in fair territory to get the ball back into the infield.

Rosewood right-hander Cody Richards settled down and retired the next three Raiders to secure the road win.

"Cody is a stress reliever," said King. "He did a great job tonight throwing strikes and when he is locating pitches he is extremely tough."

Richards' effort capped a classic pitcher's duel between teammate Neal and Midway starter Matt Spell. Neal yielded one hit in a five-inning and received a no-decision.

Spell tossed a complete game for the Raiders, allowing four hits and three unearned runs.

"This was as good a high school pitching matchup as you're going to see," said King. "Matt has been our number one all year and he continues to answer the call for us."

Rosewood (16-6) entertains Topsail on Friday. Game time is 7 p.m.

"No matter who we play we are glad to be playing at home," said King. "We have been playing some of our best ball at home recently and we plan to continue that."