Rosewood downs Wake Christian baseball

By Ryan Hanchett
Published in Sports on March 15, 2011 1:47 PM

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A chance to get back on track.

That was what Rosewood head baseball coach Jason King felt like his team needed heading into a tough week of games prior to Carolina 1-A Conference play.

The Eagles took a big step in the right direction with a 5-3, non-conference win over Wake Christian on Monday evening.

"We have been on a little slide, so this game was important for us to come out and play well," said King. "I thought we did a pretty good job and we got some key hits when we needed them."

Wake Christian opened a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning. The Bulldogs capitalized on an error, a single by Dillon Garrison, a walk and an RBI single by David Carper. The rally occurred with one out.

Rosewood immediately answered with four runs in the bottom of the first on just one hit.

Jonathan Franks and Cody Harris drew back-to-back walks to start the inning. Ian Speight loaded the bases with a fielder's choice and Will Winslow forced in a run when he was hit by a pitch. Garrett Burns delivered an RBI single and Logan Waters forced in an additional run when he was hit in the back.

Matt Shaw capped the outburst with a sacrifice fly.

Storm Baker led off the top of the second inning for Wake Christian with a home run that cut the Eagles' lead to 4-3, but Harris regrouped on the mound and found his groove.

"I told Cody that he had to go out and make pitches to give us a chance to win the game," said King. "He was a little rocky for two innings, but he pulled it together and got some big outs."

Rosewood added an insurance run in the bottom of the fourth inning when Harris belted an RBI double to score Reed Howell.

John Winslow took over on the pitcher's mound and came through with two strong innings of relief to earn the save.

Rosewood (2-4 overall) travels to county rival Charles B. Aycock on Wednesday.