LEGION: Despite mercy-rule win, Post 11 struggles against Farmville

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on June 28, 2016 1:48 PM

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rcoggins@newsargus.com

MOUNT OLIVE -- Same story.

Different day.

And the frustration continues to show on Jason Sherrer's face.

As it has done all season, Wayne County Post 11 struggled -- again -- to score with runners in scoring position and slam the door shut on an opponent in dominating fashion.

Sherrer's club stranded 14 runners and batted 5-for-18 with nine men in scoring position during a 12-2, eight-inning victory over Area I East newcomer Farmville Post 151 at Scarborough Field on Monday evening.

The mercy-rule decision gave WC a 1/2-game lead over Pitt County Post 39 in division play with three days left in the regular season.

"I hope we find a killer instinct before the playoffs," said Sherrer, whose team has left a total of 30 runners on the bags and hit 15-for-38 in the RISP category over the past three games.

"We had plenty of chances early, bases loaded twice again ... scored one. We should have put three or four on the board there. Hopefully we can figure it out."

The trouble started early.

Post 151 starter Justin Woolard coaxed WC into an inning-ending double play in the first. Despite his slow-throwing tactics that couldn't break a window pane, Woolard yielded one second-inning run -- a bases-loaded walk to Chandler Matthews.

Woolard labored to find the strike zone in the third inning and Post 11 exhibited some patience at the plate. It manufactured eight runs (three earned) on three walks, two hit batsmen and an error.

Zack Smith and Josh Jernigan each provided run-scoring hits. Smith ended the night with two doubles, a single and four RBI in five official at-bats.

"I was pleased with some of the offensive approaches we had here and there," Sherrer said.

Smith plated two fourth-inning runs on a two-out RBI single. WC led 11-0 at that point, but wouldn't score again until Hayden Amodeo invoked the mercy rule with a game-ending, RBI base knock to right field in the eighth.

Post 11 ended the night with nine hits.

"We put a couple of different guys in there (to) give them a shot and I think we learned a little bit more on who can play where in certain situations," Sherrer said. "Plus, it's always good to get the win."

Post 11 right-hander Chandler Matthews went the distance on the mound. The rising senior at Charles B. Aycock permitted two earned runs on 12 hits, didn't allow a walk and retired six Farmville batters on strikeouts.

Matthews, on the eve of wisdom tooth surgery, threw a total of 105 pitches.

Farmville scored in the sixth and seventh innings.

"(Chandler) threw strikes. His pitch count was up, he wasn't going back out there for the ninth, but he said he was fine for the eighth," Sherrer said. "He should have only pitched seven, but that's our fault. He threw strikes on very easy pitches I feel like, wasn't too stressful the whole game.

"He's had some good outings all year."

Wayne County (13-6 overall, 10-2 East) travels to Kinston Post 43 on Wednesday, and concludes regular-season play at home Thursday against Wilson Post 13.