Eastern Wayne gets insurance against Gators

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on March 18, 2011 1:47 PM

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SEVEN SPRINGS -- Eastern Wayne needed some State Farm Insurance on Thursday afternoon.

Hannah Grantham scored on a sixth-inning wild pitch and cranked out a two-RBI, seventh-inning single to help the Warriors turn back county softball foe Spring Creek, 10-5, on Thursday afternoon.

Grantham concluded the day 2-for-4 with a game-high four RBI. Teammate Stephanie Smith supplied two hits, while lead-off batter Sedonia Scott and Jessica Ream each contributed one hit.

Katlyn Casey, Morgan Stancil and Olivia Martinez cranked out two hits apiece for Spring Creek, which fell to 0-4 this season.

But the loss might have been even more costly for the Gators, who finished the non-conference affair with eight players. Senior catcher Brittany Collier twisted her left knee at home plate after she scored on a fifth-inning, RBI single by Casey.

Second-year Spring Creek head coach David McSwain said there was some swelling below the kneecap, but didn't comment any further on the injury. Collier was transported to the hospital for further evaluation. Her status for the remainder of the season is unknown.

"They took advantage our mistakes and we took advantage of their misfortune," said Warriors head coach Tony Parrish. "I hate that somebody got hurt, but they played with a lot of heart and character. Spring Creek is a scrappy ball team and they were last year.

"I told the girls you have come ready to play no matter what."

The teams combined for 15 errors and one earned run in the 2-hour, 16-minute battle. Eastern Wayne mustered just three hits with runners in scoring position, while Spring Creek collected just two hits.

The Warriors seized a 6-1 lead through 3 1/2 innings of play.

Grantham pounded out a two-RBI single during that stretch, while defensive miscues plagued the Gators, who have four freshmen in the starting lineup.

"We just had too many errors," said McSwain. "It seems like every game we're in the bottom of the barrel starting out. We just have to fight our way out of that barrel."

Spring Creek closed the gap to 6-5 in the fifth.

Casey, starting pitcher Elizabeth Edwards and Shatonia Kenion each recorded an RBI. The Gators plated their fourth run on a wild pitch.

Eastern Wayne responded with five runs during its final two at-bats to secure its second win of the season.

"We came back and answered the bell like a boxer," said Parrish. "I told the girls in the dugout we wanted some State Farm Insurance. They didn't have a clue what State Farm (is).

"We needed a cushion after Spring Creek fought back to within one (run). It wasn't a well-played game, but both teams took advantage of the other teams' mistakes and we're fortunate to walk out of here with a win."