ECBL: Lewis' squeeze play propels Goldsboro

By Justin Hayes
Published in Sports on June 7, 2017 6:55 AM

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Patience at the plate and an exquisite, fifth-inning squeeze by Lexton Lewis propelled Goldsboro High past North Lenoir Green, 6-3, in a back-and-forth Eastern Carolina Baseball League matchup Tuesday at Mina Weil Park.

The rally marked the Cougars' second triumph in a row, dating to last week's 10-5 victory over Charles B. Aycock White.

North Lenoir assumed an early 2-0 lead, but saw its edge evaporate in the bottom half of the third inning. Utilizing a discriminant eye at the plate, the Cougars turned a trio of walks into as many runs on RBI from catcher Matthew Lewis and free-swinging Austin Ruiz.

The inning, which saw seven Goldsboro players enter the batter's box, typified what spelled out the affair's remainder.

"We had some really good at bats," coach Chad Lewis said. "We worked a lot of full counts, waited, and got the hits when we needed them -- that's one thing we haven't been doing."

The Cougars' high-water mark was reached in the fifth. Brody Morton ripped an RBI double to left field and Lewis dropped an artful bunt, plating Morton and essentially deciding the outcome.

Goldsboro starter Josh Hartsfield and middle reliever Chandler Patrick navigated North Lenoir's lineup until the sixth, when Ruiz entered and retired two frames of Hawks in no-nonsense order.

Hartsfield was credited with the official victory.

"It was a very well executed game for them," Lewis said of the effort. "We have a lot of players in the dugout, and can put nine ballplayers on the field... move people around to help out."

And over the last week, such diversity -- not to mention a collective sense of patience -- has paid dividends.

Other notes from the early portion of Goldsboro's ECBL season:

SURE HANDS

* Lewis' squeeze in the fifth officially marked his third hit of the summer -- all of which have been dead-handed, well-timed bunts.

CONSECUTIVE WINS

* In the Cougars' win over CBA White, three players notched a pair of base knocks -- Natorian Nobles, Brody Morton and Josh Hartsfield. Chandler Patrick earned the mound win.

WHO'S GOT NEXT?

* For Goldsboro, there is no rest for the weary -- it travels to face Southern Wayne today at 6 p.m.