Southern Wayne capitalizes on nine free passes
By Ryan Hanchett
Published in Sports on March 8, 2012 1:48 PM
DUDLEY -- Southern Wayne used a five-run outburst to put away Spring Creek in a 9-1 victory at the Doyle Whitfield Athletic Complex on Wednesday afternoon.
Due to scheduling circumstances, the game felt more like an exhibition than a regular-season game. The Saints were trying to make last-minute preparations before the Eastern Carolina 3-A Conference portion of their schedule begins today at Triton.
The Gators were playing for the second straight night.
"I was pretty pleased with our pitching and our defense," Southern Wayne head coach Trae McKee said. "I thought we were a little anxious at the plate at times and we could have been more patient, especially with runners on base."
Southern Wayne (2-1 overall) got on the board with a run in the first inning and added two insurance runs in the third. The Saints broke the game wide open in the fourth inning.
Colton Chrisman led off with a walk and advanced when Sam Farrell reached on an error. Keith Jones walked and Ashton Cox plated a run with a base hit. Tyler Gainey drew a free pass and Taylor Brock reached on a second Gator error that allowed two runs to score.
Clayton Cashwell capped the rally with an RBI single.
The 8-0 lead would be more than enough for Saints starter Jamar Holmes, who cruised through five innings of shutout baseball on the mound. Holmes allowed two hits and struck out four batters.
"I thought Jamar did a really good job of throwing strikes and getting ground ball outs," McKee said. "The best thing you can do as a young pitcher is come in and throw strikes. Two hits and two walks over five innings is a good, solid outing."
Spring Creek got its only run in the sixth inning when Duane Gurganus was hit by a pitch and advanced on a single by Luke Miller. Trey Hammonds drew a walk and a wild pitch allowed Gurganus to score.
The Gators (1-4 overall) used five different pitchers in the game and allowed a season-high nine walks.
"I feel like our defense is really the strong point for this team," Spring Creek head coach Heath Whitfield said. "Nine walks is too many, especially against a good-hitting team like Southern Wayne. There is no way to defend a guy walking to first base."
Spring Creek travels to Jones Senior on Friday.