Walk-off winners: Ponce delivers key hit for Warriors

By Ryan Hanchett
Published in Sports on April 14, 2010 1:46 PM

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Colton Fulghum proved to be a hero for Eastern Wayne on Tuesday night.

In fact, Fulghum saved the Warriors twice.

Eastern Wayne came from behind twice and bested Eastern Carolina 3-A Conference foe North Lenoir 7-6 in nine innings.

Trailing by one run in the bottom of the seventh frame Fulghum extended the game with an RBI double that scored Greg Simms.

"Colton got a a pair of big hits for us and both of them came at the perfect time to keep us alive," Warriors' head coach Jabo Fulghum said. "The hit in the seventh inning was with two strikes and two outs so it was critical."

North Lenoir battled back and regained the lead in the top of the ninth inning.

Wil Sutton was hit by a pitch to lead off the frame and Scott Ginn drew a walk. After Ginn was picked off first base Chastin Radford walked and Grayson Phillips gave his team a 6-5 lead with a rocket double down the right field line.

In the bottom of the ninth Michael Fields got the Eastern Wayne (8-8, 4-1 ECC) rally started with a leadoff single. Simms delivered a sacrifice bunt and Fulghum tied the game with a second RBI double of the game. With two outs Cambric Moye was intentionally walked and Zach Beachem was hit by a pitch.

Jose Ponce ended the game with an RBI single over the second base bag.

"A win is always better than a loss, especially in conference play," said Fulghum. "Our pitching has been lacking and I don't really know why. But tonight we got away with it."

Josh Frederick got the win on the pitcher's mound by tossing five innings of relief.

Colton Fulghum led the victors at the plate with four hits, including two doubles and three RBI. Ponce added two hits and one RBI. Zack Mozingo finished with two hits in two at-bats.

Eastern Wayne will return to action at 5:30 p.m. today when they play host to New Hanover.

Radford led North Lenoir with a two-for-two outing at the plate. Spencer Bass added two hits and one RBI. John Delaney took the loss on the mound.

North Lenoir (6-9, 1-4) travels to C.B. Aycock on Friday night.