ECBL: Base-running mistakes haunt Rosewood

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

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aetzler@newsargus.com

Rosewood coach Barry Bradley wasn't surprised by the rough outing he got from his pitchers on Tuesday.

He was, however, surprised by the poor base running.

The Eagles ran themselves into four outs on the base paths during a 7-4 loss to North Lenoir White in Eastern Carolina Baseball League play Tuesday evening.

Base-running mistakes cost Rosewood five potential runs.

Boone Moody ran into an out taking to big of a turn around second base in the second inning. Tucker Chapin and Bryce McKeel were each picked off and Ethan Chapin was caught stealing. The last base-running miscue came when Jacob DuBose failed to advance from second to third on a sacrifice fly that scored Moody.

"In high school we're working on base running every day," Bradley said. "In the summer we're not really working into it so maybe that played a role, but all of those mistakes were just not smart base running."

The lone bright spot for the Eagles was an offense that showed signs of life. They scratched out five hits, but hit a lot of balls hard right at North Lenoir defenders.

Kahlil Warren led the way for the Eagles with two hits, including a double and two RBI. Warren's hitting improved after Bradley helped the rising senior to close his stance and change his approach at the plate.

"I've just started to focus on hitting the fastballs and not being late on those and just reacting to the curveball," Warren said. "I'm seeing the ball well."

Ethan and Tucker Chapin each drove in runs for Rosewood.

Cary King had the eventual game-winning hit for the Hawks in the fifth inning -- a pinch-hit two-RBI triple. Garrett Letchworth also had a triple. Ethan Pittman and Daron Gray drove in runs.

Jon Gaines got the win on the mound in three innings of relief work.

Rosewood pitchers Jordan Gurley, Moody, Nick Neal and Ethan Chapin combined to walk 12 North Lenoir batters. The quartet has experienced some overuse this summer through summer league and showcase ball. Moody has been bothered with arm problems.

Neal has shouldered most of the pitching duties when his teammates couldn't throw.

"It certainly wasn't our best pitching performance to be honest," Bradley said. "Probably some of our guys struggled from overuse, but if we get a normal pitching performance I still don't know if we win this ball game, because of our base running."

Gurley lasted just two innings and walked five batters, He battled out of a bases-loaded no-out jam in the first and stranded two in the second, but he was consistently behind in the count.

Two errors cost the Eagles three unearned runs in the fifth and sixth innings combined.

The Hawks scored all seven runs after the fourth inning.

Rosewood concludes ECBL play with a doubleheader at Greene Central today while North Lenoir faces county rival South Lenoir.