Southern Wayne opens ECBL campaign with road win

By Ryan Hanchett
Published in Sports on May 29, 2013 1:47 PM

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Southern Wayne exploded for six runs in the top of the seventh inning and rallied past Rosewood 9-3 in Eastern Carolina Baseball League action on Tuesday night.

The season opener for Southern Wayne was better than head coach T.J. Hinson expected.

"I am pretty excited after what I saw tonight," Hinson said. "Everyone that got on the field contributed in some way and we have a lot of guys that are playing for a spot and that's great."

Southern Wayne grabbed a 1-0 lead in the top of the fourth when Jacob Hollingsworth walked and later scored on a Rosewood error.

Rosewood tied the game in the bottom half of the first when Bryce McKeel drew a bases-loaded walk that forced home Brent Breedlove.

The Saints regained command with two runs in the top of the sixth. Cole Barwick walked and Hollingsworth belted an RBI double. Cody Davis followed with an RBI double to make the score 3-1.

Rosewood rallied for a second time in the bottom of the sixth when Jacob Dubose drew a one-out walk. Ethan Chapin singled and Khalil Warren plated Dubose with a base hit.

Blake Dean tied the game at 3-3 with an RBI single.

Southern Wayne finally put the game away in the seventh inning. Chase Horton drew a two-out walk and moved into scoring position on a wild pitch. Hunter Barwick and Cole Barwick drew back-to-back walks.

Garrad Whitfield chopped an infield single that gave the Saints a 4-3 lead. Hollingsworth followed with the big blow, a three-run double, that extended the Saints advantage to 7-3. Back-to-back Rosewood errors allowed two additional runs to score.

"We had some guys come off the bench and deliver quality at-bats," Hinson said. "I don't know who to put in the starting lineup tomorrow after how well our bench did tonight, but that is a good problem to have as a coach."

Hollingsworth pitched 1 1/3 innings of relief to get the win on the mound. Rosewood starter Jordan Gurley struck out 12 batters in 5 2/3 innings of work but did not factor in the decision.

Southern Wayne (1-0 overall) visits Eastern Wayne tonight. Rosewood (1-1) is the guest of Charles B. Aycock "Blue" on June 5.