Fulghum: Eastern Wayne, on 3-game skid, needs leadership

By Justin Hayes
Published in Sports on April 21, 2016 1:48 PM

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jhayes@newsargus.com

Help wanted.

Leadership skills required. Clutch hitting preferred.

Eastern Wayne varsity skipper Jabo Fulghum announced the posting yesterday evening in the aftermath of his team's 4-2, eight-inning loss to non-conference foe Hunt High School.

The effort -- an uneven, at times uninspired affair -- was the conclusion of a two-loss week for the Warriors, who now own a 13-6 record this season.

And if his blistering post-game soiree along the right field chalk was any indication, the EW exploratory leadership committee is actively pursuing qualified candidates.

Hunt (9-12 overall) started the contest quickly, plating Jacob Williamson in the first inning on a fielder's choice by senior Greg Lamm. They followed with another run in the second, this time courtesy of a sacrifice fly by Josh Fuller.

Hunt held a 2-0 advantage.

With Eastern unable to match their visitors' early plate prowess, starter Carlyle Smith worked on the early portion of a mound gem. The righty confused Hunt with an assortment of down-and-away pitches, coaxing Warrior batsmen into a parade of Sunday hops and strikeouts.

On the evening, Smith allowed just three hits. He also fanned four batters and surrendered just one walk.

Fulghum was quick to praise his junior.

"We found another pitcher today," Fulghum noted. "It's just that simple. I should've pitched him before now, honestly."

Also effective was Hunt lead man Neal Lewis.

The right-hander was dominant from the outset, throwing by and around the Eastern Wayne lineup for 7 2/3 innings. Behind him, a sure-handed defensive outfit wrangled six infield putouts and shagged 11 fly balls.

Until the sixth, the Hunt ace was flawless.

Following Lee Daniels' double off the center-field wall, Tanner Wells stepped to the plate and squared off with Lewis. After an eyeful of material out of the strike zone, the junior rode a fastball deep over the left-centerfield fence.

Tie ball game.

Eastern Wayne had an opportunity to close matters in the seventh, but went down swinging to force extra innings. The strikeout was part of a dismal showing at the plate for Fulghum's club, one in which it stranded seven runners -- four in scoring position.

"You gotta want to go to the plate," Fulghum said. "I gotta have some RBI guys. We haven't hit the ball hard on a consistent basis."

Senior Collin Nix, on in relief of Smith, struggled in the bonus frame. The lefty walked Lamm and Garrett Browder to start the inning, then watched from the hill as both scored on a frozen rope down the left field line by junior Parker Garrett.

When Eastern failed to match in its half, Fulghum was left to ponder three consecutive losses -- an unexpected turn since beating county rival Charles B. Aycock on April 12.

"We don't have any senior leadership at this present time -- none," Fulghum said. "And if they don't pick it up, it's going to be gone before they can blink an eye."

The Warriors will continue taking applications for said vacancies in advance of their next contest, an ECC matchup with Eastern Carolina 3-A/4-A Conference foe J.H. Rose next Tuesday.