Post 11 offense scorches Post 102 pitching staff
By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on June 28, 2010 1:47 PM
AHOSKIE -- Wayne County Post 11 provided plenty of extra heat on Ahoskie Post 102's pitching staff on a ridiculously-hot Sunday afternoon at Hertford County High School.
Zack Mozingo, Matt Neal and Will Bynum each belted a solo shot in 16-5, mercy rule-shortened victory. Mozingo boosted his season total to three. Neal and Bynum emerged the fourth and fifth Wayne County batters, respectively, to go "yard" this season.
Post 11 has swatted 13 home runs as a team.
"They did a good job (hitting)," said Wayne County head coach Rob Watt. "The guys are really starting to get the hang of things that we've talked about with their approach (at the plate). They're learning when we have to be patient or aggressive, and they've done a good job with that."
Wayne County (14-6 overall) used the two-out rally to build a double-digit lead after 21/2 innings. Mozingo, Zack Chase, Nicholas McGee and Tyler Ruffin each supplied an RBI hit during the team's first at-bat.
Post 102 right-hander Eli Spruill, who fanned the first batter he faced, lost command and labored to find the strike zone. He exited after Ruffin's single.
"(Spruill) had a hard time locating his secondary stuff and couldn't throw his curveball for a strike," said Watt. "Any time you get in that situation and have to throw fastballs for strikes, the game is going to quickly get away from you. A team like ours that's a line-drive, ground-ball team, we're going to do good things with the bat."
Post 11 tattooed five Ahoskie hurlers for 14 hits.
Eight of nine starters recorded at least one hit. Mozingo finished 3-for-4 with five RBI. Bynum batted 2-for-2 with two RBI. Cody Davis and McGee (RBI) each delivered a two-hit outing.
Kevin Wise stole two bases. Davis, Bynum, Tyler Edwards and Adron Hollowell each added a stolen base.
But the double-digit victory may have proved costly.
Wayne County hurler Eric DuBose injured his throwing arm in the third inning and did not return. The southpaw allowed the first two Ahoskie batters to reach base. On a 3-2 pitch to Cody Cahoon, DuBose heard a pop as he released the throw.
"He didn't feel good coming out (of the motion)," said Watt. "Hopefully, it was just a strain and nothing serious. With elbows and shoulders, you've got to be really careful with that stuff. He's got things to do after Legion ball."
Watt called Deric Grant out of the bullpen. The right-hander surrendered five runs (three earned) on nine hits, walked two and fanned five Post 102 batters in relief.
Grant claimed his first-ever Senior Legion career win on the mound.
"He came in with two runners on, got a double-play ball right away and you can't ask for more than that," said Watt. "He stayed down in the zone for the most part. If you're going to miss, I prefer you miss down in the zone instead of up and getting hurt.
"He got some ground balls and gave the team a chance to get some outs."