Spring Creek defeats SWO baseball

By Ryan Hanchett
Published in Sports on March 20, 2012 1:50 PM

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SEVEN SPRINGS -- Spring Creek played well in all three facets of the game.

Southwest Onslow struggled in all three.

The Gators collected 12 hits en route to an 11-1 win in six innings on Monday afternoon. It was the final non-conference tune-up for Spring Creek before the Carolina 1-A Conference schedule begins.

"I thought we played a pretty good complete ballgame," Spring Creek head coach Heath Whitfield said. "We did not make an error in the field, we got solid pitching and we were able to string a few hits together in the later innings."

The Gators jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the third when Duane Gurganus drew a walk and Chris Nichols followed with a single. Corey Howell singled and Allen Coor capped the rally with an RBI base hit.

Spring Creek put the game away one inning later by adding five runs. Matt Rogers singled and moved to second when Logan Miller walked. Trey Hammonds loaded the bases with a bunt single and Luke Miller plated two runs with a base hit.

Gurganus followed with a walk and Nichols drove in two runs with a single. Howell added a base hit and Coor capped the inning when he reached on an error and Nichols scored.

The 7-0 cushion was more than enough for the Gators' pitching staff. Five different pitchers combined to allow just five hits and one run.

"We decided to use this game as one final preparation for our pitchers," Whitfield said. "We haven't quite settled on who is going to throw on Friday in the conference opener but I feel like we are ready to go as a staff."

Gurganus started the game with two scoreless innings. Logan Miller pitched one inning of relief and earned the win on the mound.

Spring Creek (5-5 overall) travels to Princeton on Friday.