West Johnston eliminates Wayne North

By Ryan Hanchett
Published in Sports on July 12, 2010 1:47 PM

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MOUNT OLIVE -- Wayne North's strong season ended at the hands of West Johnston in the semifinal round of the East Regional Junior Legion baseball tournament at Mount Olive College on Sunday afternoon.

The two teams completed a game that was suspended on Saturday night. West Johnston erased an early deficit and claimed a 12-6 victory.

The game resumed with West Johnston batting in the top of the second inning and almost immediately turned in Wayne North's favor. In the bottom of the third inning Jake May drew a leadoff walk and was immediately plated when Nolan James ripped a double.

Wesley Capps blasted a two-run home run to give Wayne North a 6-2 lead one batter later.

"That was our last big hit of the ballgame and it came in the third inning," Wayne North head coach Roger May said. "West Johnston is a good hitting team and they showed it today."

West Johnston pulled ahead for the first time in the top of the fifth inning.

Jack Sherrill singled and advanced when Bradley Ragan drew a walk. Justin Carroll belted an RBI double two batters later and Matthew Parrish followed with a walk of his own. Back-to-back base hits from Thomas Hill and Adam Morrison tied the game 6-6 before Alex Espada untied it with a sacrifice fly ball.

West Johnston put the game away in the seventh inning.

A pair of Wayne North errors and a big two-out, two-run double from Parrish pushed the West Johnston lead to 12-6 and essentially iced the season for Wayne North.

"I told the guys that I was really proud of them this year and I am," said May. "We played some very good ball down the stretch and I think it will give these guy something to build on for next year."

Logan Wicks took the loss on the mound for Wayne North despite a gutsy effort just two days after winning Wayne North's tournament opener.

Wayne North finished the season 18-7 overall.