Junior Legion: Rocky Mount shuts out Wayne County South

By Ryan Hanchett
Published in Sports on June 24, 2009 11:26 AM

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DUDLEY -- Wayne County South never got its offense going in an 11-0 loss against Rocky Mount on the Junior American Legion Baseball scene Tuesday evening.

The visitors, however, provided plenty of offensive firepower.

After seizing a 1-0 lead in its first at-bat, Rocky Mount erupted in the second inning. Taylor Clontz belted a solo home run and was followed by Jeremy Trevathon's base hit. Two batters later, Michael Whitehead blasted a two-run homer.

Spencer Bell drew a two-out walk and scored when Thomas Berry blasted the visitors' third home run of the inning. Rocky Mount lead to 6-0.

"That's a good-hitting ball team," said Wayne County South head coach Trae McKee said. "We weren't throwing strikes early and when we did, we were leaving pitches in some hittable spots."

Will Raynor entered the game and gave South three strong innings of relief, but the damage was already done.

Rocky Mount starter Matthew Berry showed no signs of letting the home team back in the game. Berry threw six scoreless innings, walked only one and struck out six.

Wayne South (7-9 overall) didn't advance a runner into scoring position after the first inning.

"I thought we would hit the ball a little bit better than what we showed tonight," said McKee. "But when you have a young team, you need everyone to keep their heads up and keep persevering."

Zach Grantham led South at the plate with a double. Cody Davis, Keenan Winn and Ashton Cox added one hit apiece.

Davis took the loss on the pitcher's mound.

"At one point we had four eighth-graders out there and it showed a little bit tonight," said McKee. "We need to keep playing and keep gaining experience, and hopefully we'll get to where we want to be."

South visits county foe Aycock today. First pitch is 7 p.m.