Third-inning miscues hurt Goldsboro

By Allen Etzler
Published in Sports on April 2, 2014 1:48 PM

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aeztler@newsargus.com

Goldsboro head baseball coach Mike Harper stresses the importance of mental toughness everyday to his players.

He proved his point Tuesday afternoon.

An error-riddled third inning put the Cougars in a six-run hole. But Harper's team displayed resilience in the final two innings before falling 11-5 to South Lenoir in the Eastern Carolina 2-A Conference opener for both teams.

"I loved the fight we showed," Harper said. "We need to use sports psychology and mental preparation for these kids. But the way we came back in the bottom of the seventh, I'm very pleased with that and I think we can build off of that."

The Cougars trailed 10-0 going into the bottom of the sixth inning. At risk of losing by the mercy rule, they struck back with two runs to keep the game alive.

After South Lenoir tacked on an insurance run in the seventh, the Goldsboro (1-7 overall, 0-1 ECC) continued to battle and scored three more runs.

Jared Howard and Damon Pate executed a perfect hit-and-run in the seventh. Howard slapped an outside pitch between first and second base. Pate's steal caused South Lenoir second baseman Montana Thompson to be out of position.

"It was really a credit to (Pate)," Howard said. "He was stealing and it left a big hole for me to take advantage of."

Each runner scored.

But the Blue Devils' Nick Hunter ceased the rally with a game-ending strikeout.

The Cougars collected six hits against South Lenoir pitchers Dylan Rouse, Will Kelly and Hunter. Their aggressiveness on the basepaths forced the Blue Devils into four uncharacteristic errors during the final two innings.

Goldsboro stole five bases, but took extra bags on bobbled throws or miscommunication on cut-off plays.

Thompson led South Lenoir with three hits and an RBI. Brett Davis had two singles and reached base five times.

Harper talked about a disappointing third inning that allowed the Blue Devils to gain their big advantage. South Lenoir had four hits, but Goldsboro helped by throwing balls behind runners and over the heads of cut-off men.

"They focus when we're up, but lose focus when we're down," Harper said. "We need to get them all in tune with the game at all times."