BASEBALL -- Rosewood vs. Southern Wayne

By Justin Hayes
Published in Sports on April 16, 2017 12:03 AM

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WILSON -- Fast and loose.

The phrase, coined with panache by Paul Newman in the 1961 pool hall drama "The Hustler," captured for audiences worldwide the spirit of a man consumed by accomplishing an objective in warp-speed, with grace.

It also properly defined the Rosewood High varsity baseball outfit on Saturday, whose hot start in the batter's box provided Kolby Harris due freedom on the hill, resulting in a 6-4 triumph over Wayne County neighbor Southern Wayne during opening-day action of the Golden Leaf Invitational at historic Fleming Stadium.

Chance Howard set the tone for the Eagles in his first at-bat, roping a Lance Wise offering to the gap in left-center field and legging out a stand-up double. He moved plateward seconds later on a similar blast by third baseman Jonathan Peacock, who in turn crossed on a sacrifice by Tanner Bradley four batters later.

Finishing the baffle-gate-inspired row was shortstop Boone Moody, whose threaded snipe to left field moved courtesy runner Will Albert across, giving Rosewood a 3-0 lead and ample comfort to Harris.

And after two more runs by the Eagles in their half of the third, the tilt appeared on the verge of a runaway --until the Saints provided Harris his first true spot of bother.

Southern's Derek Holsinger reached on an infield error, then scored on a fielder's choice by Jack Casbarro. Wise, helping his own cause, then drove in battery-mate Aryc Chrisman on a whistled single to left-center field, making the score 5-2.

The middle innings, dominated by quick-turning 1-2-3 frames, proceeded with little uproar until the never-say-die Halos created a stir in their half of the sixth inning.

Wise reached after being plunked by Harris, then advanced to third on a return-to-sender blast by center-fielder Manny Walker. After junior Josh Grady's bunt loaded the bags, Rosewood skipper Jason King pulled Harris in favor of Howard -- a decision that proved fateful.

"He really hadn't done anything wrong," King said of his starter. "I just wanted to give them a different look with the bases loaded, and Chance came in, did a great job."

Did he ever.

The right-hander allowed a heat-seeking RBI by the Saints' Kolby Anderson, but averted further damage when Manny Walker was gunned down at the plate on a superb bit of cutoff management by the Eagles.

RHS plated another run in its half of the final frame, as did Southern Wayne, which had the lights dimmed on its rally by Howard, who induced a 5-3 putout and a strikeout of Walker to formally end the proceedings.

The Eagles were led offensively by Neal, who finished 2-for-4 with an RBI. Peacock, Moody, White and Bradley also notched an RBI for the purple-and-gold, who collected nine base hits on the afternoon.

Harris earned his third victory of the spring.

Southern Wayne (8-9 overall) received quality platework from Casbarro, who finished the afternoon 1-for-3 with two RBI. Anderson also turned in a solid outing, going 2-for-3 with an RBI.

Rosewood will move up in classification standing again Monday, when it faces 3-A power Southern Nash at 3 p.m. The Saints also continue their trek through the tourney, facing Arendell Parrott Academy at 11 a.m.