ENC District 8: Wayne teams capture titles

By Staff Reports
Published in Sports on June 27, 2009 11:02 PM

• Print
• Email

SNOW HILL -- A strong thunderstorm accompanied by heavy rain didn't dampen Wayne County's bid for the 10-under championship in Eastern N.C. Babe Ruth District 8 softball championship Friday evening.

Mackenzie Wheeler threw three superb innings of no-hit, scoreless relief as Wayne County dumped Greene County 12-6. Hunter Tillman tossed the first inning and Waddell pitched the final two innings.

The trio combined for 11 strikeouts.

Haley Brogden emerged Wayne County's offensive leader with three hits in three at-bats. Tillman and Rachel Grady cranked out two hits apiece. Wheeler, Waddell, Tanika Powell, Cara Lenzi and Maddie Lyon each contributed one hit.

Earlier Friday morning, the Wayne County 14U squad clinched a berth in the state tournament. Misty Edwards logged three strikeouts in a complete-game effort inside the pitcher's circle during a 17-4 thrashing of Kinston-Lenoir.

Jennifer Pate, Skylar Parker, Kelsey Kornegay, Caroline Riggs and Haley Ginn recorded two hits apiece in the mercy-rule outing. Misty Edwards, Chris Connelly, Katie Gay and Charlotte Kornegay each collected a hit.

Wayne County claimed an early lead against Greene County in the 8U division final. But Greene County constantly pecked away at the lead and eventually claimed the district crown.

However, Wayne County received the Commissioner's Choice to continue postseason play. Both teams advance to the Eastern N.C. State tournament, which begins July 8 at Godwin-Coppedge (Community) Park in Winterville.