Eastern Wayne advances
By Ryan Hanchett
Published in Sports on May 13, 2011 1:47 PM
Like a thoroughbred running the backstretch, Eastern Wayne appears to have hit its stride at the perfect time.
Eastern Wayne pitched well, played solid defense and got a few key hits in a 4-1 win over South Brunswick in the opening round of the N.C. High School Athletic Association 3-A baseball playoffs. The Warriors advance to play defending eastern champion Wilson Hunt in the second round on Tuesday.
"We are extremely pleased to get this win and move on to play another game," Eastern Wayne head coach Jabo Fulghum said. "I knew that South Brunswick was going to come in and play aggressive baseball and try to get a 'W'. Tonight we were a few hits better."
The Warriors got the lead in the second inning when Nolan James walked and Wes Capps followed with a single. Ryan Faucette reached on an error as James scored and Hunter Barnett capped the inning with an RBI single.
Eastern Wayne starting pitcher Logan Wicks lasted three innings and was lifted after allowing a leadoff single to Matt Stewart in the bottom of the third. Stewart later scored the Cougars lone run on a base hit from Steven Frink.
Wicks was lifted in favor of Zach Mozingo who entered the game and shut down the visitors' offense for four innings of relief.
"Logan did a good job and he gave us what we wanted which was three quality innings," Fulghum said. "We are trying to work him back into the mix because he has had some back stiffness. Mo followed him and threw strikes and got some big outs."
Eastern Wayne got an insurance run in the fourth inning when Greg Simms delivered an RBI single that plated Dante Arthur. Ryan Faucette doubled and later scored on a wild pitch to complete the 4-1 final.
The Warriors (17-7 overall) now turn their collective focus to Hunt. The two teams split their regular-season series this spring. Game time is 7 p.m.