Warriors profit from Falcons' defensive miscues

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on March 12, 2014 1:48 PM

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rcoggins@newsargus.com

Eastern Wayne handled the defensive pressure.

South Central didn't.

The Warriors pushed across five unearned runs during a three-inning stint and claimed an 8-2 victory in the Eastern Carolina 3-A/4-A Conference opener for both teams Tuesday afternoon.

"Yeah, they kicked it around a little bit," EW head coach Jabo Fulghum said. "But, in our defense, when you make them field it in high school ball, they're going to error it some. Our small game, every time we tried to bunt we were successful.

"We either moved him over or they threw it away. South Central is normally a sound ballclub. They'll bounce back."

The ball bounced in the Warriors' favor during the 1-hour, 43-minute affair. The Falcons (3-2 overall, 0-1 ECC) committed an uncharacteristic seven errors, including four on Eastern Wayne sacrifice bunt attempts.

Three bobbles proved crucial in the third inning.

The Warriors (2-2, 1-0) plated five runs (two earned) on a walk, a hit batsman, two errors on sac bunts and three hits. Clean-up batter Brandon Johnson cranked out a two-RBI double and Coy Barnett plated Ryan Faucette with a backside single to left-center field.

"We kind of beat ourselves, got ourselves in a hole," SC head coach Peanut Langston said. "We made mistakes and they got hits behind it. That's what good programs do. Our philosophy is it isn't always the best team (that wins), but the team that plays the best and they were better than us for two hours today."

South Central pulled within 5-2 during its half of the fourth inning. Warrior right-hander Zack Smith experienced some discomfort in his throwing arm and gave way to Faucette with one out in the books.

Faucette provided 3 2/3 innings of six-strikeout scoreless relief. The Falcons managed just six hits and had eight base runners on the day.

Eastern Wayne added unearned runs in the fourth and fifth innings. South Central right-hander Cam Colmore took the pitching loss.

Six of nine Warriors each collected one hit, and every batter reached base at least one time.

"It's way early and this is just one piece," Fulghum said as he referred to the ECC title. "There are 11 more pieces to go. It's a matter of getting better every day."