Saints outlast Warriors softball

By Ryan Hanchett
Published in Sports on April 14, 2011 1:47 PM

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Southern Wayne and Eastern Wayne played an instant classic on the Eastern Carolina 3-A Conference softball scene Wednesday evening.

The Saints pushed across three runs in the top of the 11th inning and held on for a 7-4 victory that took three hours to complete.

Southern Wayne appeared to have the game won in the 10th inning when Hope Rose singled, advanced on a sacrifice and scored on an Eastern Wayne error. The Saints led 4-3.

Eastern Wayne was not done yet.

The Warriors tied the game when Morgan Smith drew a walk and Hannah Grantham dropped down a sacrifice. Jessica Ream delivered an RBI double, but was stranded at third base one batter later.

"I was so pleased to see our girls keep their heads up and battle back when it looked like it was over," Warriors head coach Tony Parrish said. "We made it one more inning, but an error and a couple of bad bounces cost us."

Southern Wayne quickly made two outs in the top of the 11th before Madison Davis reached on an error. Missy Morris followed with an infield single and Rose broke the game open with an RBI base hit. Taylor Davis hammered a double that plated two additional insurance runs.

Eastern Wayne fell silent in its final at-bat.

"This was one of those games that you hate to see either team lose," Southern Wayne head coach Michael Wiggs said. "I am very proud of my girls for hanging on all game and making the most of an opportunity to put runs on the board late."

Madison Davis pitched a complete game to earn the win in the pitcher's circle. The right-hander tallied nine strikeouts and allowed two earned runs on six hits.

"Madison was so strong for us," said Wiggs. "We didn't even talk about her coming out of the game. She was going to grit her teeth and fight through any pain she was in. It was an amazing effort."

Starla Strickland went all 11 innings for the Warriors and suffered the loss despite allowing just one earned run. Eastern Wayne committed three errors.

Eastern Wayne (4-11 overall, 2-7 ECC) travels to Charles B. Aycock tonight. Southern Wayne (5-10, 3-6) plays host to South Johnston. Both games are scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.