BASEBALL -- Rocky Mount vs. E. Wayne

By Ben Coley
Published in Sports on April 16, 2017 12:03 AM

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WILSON -- Eastern Wayne masterfully cruised through the first two innings against Rocky Mount on Saturday afternoon.

The Warriors fought at the plate, wiggled out of jams and built a three-run lead. Then the wheels fell off -- and boy, did they fall off quickly.

EW committed five errors and allowed 17 walks over the next five innings. Rocky Mount took advantage and dealt the Warriors a 22-3 defeat in the opening round of the Golden Leaf Invitational.

"It's a tough one to swallow right there," said Warriors' head coach Walker Gourley. "Especially being in it like we were early. We came out ready to play. We executed the game plan both offensively and defensively. The rest (of the game) speaks for itself."

The Warriors collected four hits during the first two innings. Colby Miller hit an RBI single in the first, and Landon Ginn added a two-RBI single in the second.

Defensively, EW starter Keyon Gaines retired the Gryphons on eight pitches in the first inning. In the second inning, there were runners on first and second. But the Warriors turned a double play to end the threat.

Rocky Mount could only muster a RBI groundout in the third.

Things turned sour in the fourth inning. The Gryphons scored six runs off only three hits. Five batters were walked and one was hit by a pitch.

"We started kicking it around a little bit and giving free passes," Gourley said. "That's what's going to happen against a good ball team if you give up that many walks and you extend innings the way we did."

The Gryphons pounded out five more runs in the fifth and sixth inning to push their lead to 12-3. The Warriors committed three errors in the fifth inning.

The flood gates violently swung open in the seventh frame.

Rocky Mount erupted for 10 runs on only four hits. Six of the first seven batters drew a walk. EW needed three different pitchers to get out of the miserable inning.

"I'd say we've struggled being consistent playing all seven innings," Gourley said. "But that's something we continue to work on. We have done it this year. It's just we've got to be more consistent playing all seven going forward."

Gourley sent out six different pitchers against Rocky Mount. Andrew Fricks was the only hurler to record at least one strikeout.

Miller led the team with two hits, including a double. Tanner Wells, Jacob Ginn, Will Uzzell and Ricky Davis notched one hit apiece.

After Saturday's game, Gourley said the message to the team would be the same it as been all season -- make the routine play and remain consistent.

"With that bad of a loss, you really have to move on," Gourley said. "You gotta be ready to go Monday. There's nothing we can do about it right now."

Weather permitting, Eastern Wayne faces Nash Central at Fleming Stadium. First pitch is 10 a.m.