Missed opportunities haunt Eastern Wayne

By Ryan Hanchett
Published in Sports on March 7, 2010 1:50 AM

• Print
• Email

Missed opportunities and spoiled chances.

That was the theme of Eastern Wayne's season-opening loss to South Central on Friday night in New Hope. The Falcons earned a 4-3 victory in nine innings.

The Warriors had the winning run at third base and less than two outs in both the seventh and eighth innings but failed to score. A double play ended the first rally and an unsuccessful bunt attempt led to the Falcons escaping for the second consecutive frame.

"We did not do the little things that it takes to win a baseball game," Eastern Wayne head coach Jabo Fulghum said. "We put our pitchers in bad spots and played really poor defense."

Three errors led to the home team's demise.

Ben Longton reached base on an infield single with one out in the top of the eighth inning and moved to second on a ground ball by Ethan Cochran. A pickoff attempt at second base sailed into the outfield and allowed Longton to race to third.

The ball got away for a second time on the throw back to the infield and allowed Longton to cross the plate.

"If you throw the ball around and make mistakes then it's tough to beat anybody," said Fulghum. "South Central is a solid team and we gave them too many chances."

Cambric Moye led the Warriors (0-1 overall) at the plate with two hits including a double. Zach Beachum also finished 2-for-4 with a double and Zack Mozingo added a double that drove in two runs.

Josh Frederick tossed four innings and allowed two runs on two hits. The lanky left-hander walked three and struck out two. Mozingo took the loss after throwing five innings in relief, allowing two runs on four hits.

Longton threw five innings of solid relief to get the win for the Falcons (1-0).

"At this point its all about learning," said Fulghum. "We need to turn around tomorrow and work hard at practice so we can get better."

The same two teams will meet again on Tuesday in Winterville.