Chapin's walk-off single lifts Eagles past Rebels in bottom of 7th

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on May 5, 2014 1:48 PM

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rcoggins@newsargus.com

Secure in his team's ability, Rosewood head baseball coach Jason King offered encouragement throughout Saturday's tension-filled battle with Carolina 1-A Conference foe North Duplin.

His words before the Eagles' final at-bat proved profound.

"I just told the boys to be confident, that we're going to score three runs right there and we're going home," King said.

Rosewood did.

Ethan Chapin delivered a walk-off single in the bottom of the seventh inning to cap a come-from-behind, 8-7 victory over the Rebels. Rosewood (13-4 overall, 10-1 overall) extended its win streak to nine games and remained percentage points behind overall leader Spring Creek in the conference standings.

The Rebels (11-5) departed 8-4 against Carolina opposition this season.

"The first several innings we were getting out-played by a pretty good ball team," King said. "Things just didn't go right for us. North Duplin did a good job of staying alive on pitches down in the zone. But our kids kept at it and didn't give up."

Down 7-5 heading into the seventh, Rosewood's Reed Howell got plunked to start the inning. Jordan Gurley singled and Derek Neal reached on a fielder's choice. The two moved into scoring position on a passed ball.

Derek Neal hit a hard grounder down the third-base line and King sent Howell, who was thrown out at the plate.

"I made a bad call," King said.

Bryce McKeel plated Gurley with a single and Neal tied the game at 7-7 on a delayed steal. Brent Breedlove drew a walk and Chapin ended the contest with his walk-off base single -- his second hit of the night.

"Just an emotional finish," King said.

Gurley led the Eagles' offense with three hits and RBI. McKeel and Chapin concluded the night with two hits apiece. Neal, Breedlove, Kahlil Warren (RBI) and Davis Jones each provided one hit.

Gurley claimed a no-decision with a nine-strikeout performance in six-plus innings of work. Breedlove earned the victory with one-third inning of one-strikeout relief.

Tyler Potter emerged as the Rebels' offensive leader with three hits, three stolen bases and one RBI. Bryce Best batted 2-for-4 with two RBI.

Rosewood plays host to Lakewood today.