Pitt County Classic: Area teams face solid competition

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on April 18, 2014 1:48 PM

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rcoggins@newsargus.com

County rivals Eastern Wayne, Charles B. Aycock and Southern Wayne are eager to take a break from the rigorous and grueling Eastern Carolina 3-A/4-A Conference schedule.

That doesn't mean they can relax too much, though.

All three teams begin play Saturday in the annual Pitt County Classic -- an annual tournament that features not only some of North Carolina's top prep talent, but quality competition from outside the Tar Heel State as well.

And each is looking to build some momentum as regular-season play winds down. Eastern Wayne launches play Saturday at 11 a.m. against Tallwood (Va.) at South Central High School.

The Warriors face North Stafford (Va.) on Monday and close the Classic against Southern Alamance on Tuesday.

"It's always a good tournament to go to and should be exciting," said EW head coach Jabo Fulghum, whose team upset previously-unbeaten and state-ranked J.H. Rose on Wednesday evening.

"I think we've got three quality opponents. We've got to rise to the challenge. I'm ready to see us get that competitive edge that we've lost the last week and a half. We need to get some confidence because when we come back (from spring break), there's only a week left until the conference tournament."

Aycock hopes to halt its late roller-coaster experience.

The Golden Falcons had their five-game win streak snapped last week and endured a no-hit loss to 2013 state 3-A runner-up D.H. Conley on Wednesday evening.

"I asked (DHC head coach) Jason (Mills) to put us against some tough competition and he has," CBA head coach Charles Davis said. "It's just a chance for us to play some different teams, and hopefully this will help us make a playoff run.

"We've got to get a little bit better consistently hitting. The kids have come together as a team. I think they understand their roles and it took a little while to get that instilled in them."

Aycock opens the Classic against Pine Forest on Saturday afternoon. Davis' team meets Alexander Central on Monday, and takes on Powhatan (Va.) on Tuesday.

Like Fulghum and Davis, first-year Southern Wayne head coach Jackson Massey is looking for one last "kick start" for his team. The Saints have been in a better offensive and defensive mindset during their last three ECC games, and have played each opponent close.

The pitching staff has been consistent.

"Our pitching, I've been very pleased with them the entire year and we just have to give them a little run support, that's all," Massey said. "The thing I keep telling myself is we're playing good teams and at the same time, we've had the opportunity to beat those teams.

"It seems like one bad inning has been our Achilles' heel ... our curse all year long."

Southern Wayne kicks off the Classic against West Craven on Saturday afternoon in Winterville. The Saints face Southern Alamance on Monday, and are the guests of North Pitt on Tuesday.