Wayne Christian defeats WCDS, extends win streak to 4 games

By Allen Etzler
Published in Sports on April 25, 2014 1:48 PM

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aetzler@newsargus.com

Since losing a 10-inning battle to Princeton earlier this month, Wayne Christian Academy has made a concerted effort to focus on doing the little things it didn't do in that game.

Now, they're riding a four-game win streak after handing archrival Wayne Country Day an 11-2 loss on opening day of Charger Diamond Classic on Thursday afternoon.

"We started focusing on doing the little things right and that takes care of the rest," Wayne Christian coach Curt Hinton said. "And then the big bats come and that helps."

The big bats Burt referred to are the middle of the Eagles' order -- Tanner Rose, Brandon Price and Tyler Mozingo. The trio combined for five of the Eagles' 10 hits.

In the third inning Mozingo took Wayne Country Day's John Strickland deep with a two-run homer over the right-field fence. Mozingo had little desire to work the count and took the first pitch he saw for a ride. He finished the day with two hits ad three RBI.

"It's always nice to get one out, but (hitting the ball opposite field) is what we've been preaching, so it was even better hit one out backside," Hinton said.

Austin Howell set the pace for the Eagles from his lead-off spot with three hits, two RBI and three runs scored. Howell drove a two-RBI double to left-center field that almost left the yard in the second inning.

One hitter in the Eagles lineup who couldn't get involved in the outburst was Ted Suggs. He was hit by a pitch three times, but he did enough work on the mound.

The right-hander threw a complete-game four-hitter. He peppered the zone with fastballs and curveballs, and consistently kept WCDS hitters off balance. Suggs recorded 10 strikeouts.

"I was able to hit my spots most of the day," Suggs said. "My changeup and curveball we're working. Defense picked me up when I made a mistake."

Three of the Chargers' four hits came from the first three hitters in the order -- Mitch Turnage, Parker Smith and Strickland. Jacob Magera added the fourth hit.

Head coach Michael Taylor wasn't happy with the approaches his players brought to the plate for much of the afternoon, but saw a bright spot in Turnage's third at-bat in the fifth inning -- a home run that sailed over the trees behind the right-field fence.

"You know, he didn't look too good in his first two at-bats," Taylor said. "But he came out that third one and was aggressive in a hitters count and good things happened."

Wayne Christian (9-3 overall) faced Greenfield Christian at 1:30 p.m. today. WCDS (8-7) met Grace Christian of Sanford in the late game.