WCDS eliminates Hobgood, advances to final four
By Andrew Stevens
Published in Sports on May 12, 2010 1:47 PM
Sometimes, especially in the playoffs, you just have to grind out a win.
Wayne Country Day overcame five errors and an early deficit to claim a 9-7 victory over visiting Hobgood in the quarterfinals of the N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association 1-A baseball playoffs.
The Chargers face Greenfield at 4 p.m. on Friday at Fleming Stadium in Wilson in the state semifinals. It's Wayne Country Day's first appearance in the final four since winning the state championship in 2007.
The Raiders took a 2-0 lead in the first inning on a bases-loaded walk and an RBI groundout.
The Chargers tied the game during their first at-bat on Cameron Ford's run-scoring groundout. Tyson Pearson later scored on an error.
Ryan Hopkins' solo homer in the top of the third inning and Tanner Moore's two-run shot in the to of the third put Hobgood in front 5-2.
Ford's two-run single in the bottom of the third trimmed the lead to 5-4. Cole Davis and Ford both crossed home as the Raiders committed a pair of errors in the midst of a double-steal, which gave Wayne Country Day a 6-5 advantage.
The Chargers (16-7 overall) were held to just five hits, but benefited from 12 walks and five errors.
"Today we grinded," said Wayne Country Day head coach Michael Taylor. "We had a couple of errors that led to runs. The guys fought back in every inning. We took advantage of their mistakes."
Cole Davis' three-run homer to left-center field in the bottom of the fourth pushed the lead to 9-6.
Hobgood picked up a run on an error in the top of the seventh inning.
Ford appeared to shake off giving up five runs in the first three innings and held Hobgood to one hit after the fourth inning. The senior tossed a complete game, surrendering seven runs (three earned) on seven hits with four walks and four strikeouts.
He also benefited from three key double plays.
"Cameron is a bulldog on the mound," said Taylor. "He didn't let the first couple of innings bother him. He's a senior and he's my leader. He's a veteran and he wants the ball in his hands. He doesn't let the game bother him."