Charger Diamond Classic: Shaky defensive play hurts WCDS

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on April 26, 2014 11:17 PM

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rcoggins@newsargus.com

Shaky defensive play gave playoff-bound Grace Christian of Sanford plenty of working room against Wayne Country Day on Friday afternoon.

The Crusaders pushed across seven unearned runs on six errors and cruised to a 13-0, mercy-rule victory in the final game of the 2014 Charger Diamond Classic.

WCDS suffered its second shutout loss of the season.

"All three pitchers did their job on the bump," Chargers head coach Michael Taylor said. "We have to play behind our pitchers and cannot give up the extra out in each inning. Against any good team, you cannot do that.

Grace Christian scored runs in four of five innings and tallied 12 hits. Aaron Ayers batted 3-for-4 with five RBI, while Jon Husk homered in a 3-for-3, three-RBI performance.

Seven Crusaders in the starting lineup had at least one hit.

Mitch Turnage endured the mound loss in a two-inning stint. John Strickland threw the third and fourth innings, while Jacob Magera threw the fifth.

The trio combined for six strikeouts.

Wayne Country Day (8-8 overall) mustered just three hits -- one each by Mitch Turnage, John Strickland and Jon Bryan -- against Grace Christian starter Brandon Toro. The right-hander struck out six, walked two and benefited from a second-inning double play.

Toro retired the final eight batters he faced.

"We have played two good teams over the past two days, and now we will see how we deal with these losses going into the final two games of the year," Taylor said. "Good things are going to happen. We just have to stay positive and focused as we move into the final week of the season.

"In these two games, we can play the spoiler for Oakwood or Greenfield. We just have to take care of what we can control."

WCDS entertains Oakwood on Monday and will recognize its lone senior, Jacob Parks, before the game. The Chargers conclude regular-season play May 2 against long-time nemesis Greenfield at historic Fleming Stadium in Wilson.