HIGH SCHOOLS: Freshman pitches Watauga into Northwestern 3A-4A baseball lead

St. Stephens rallies to win at E. Lincoln,

is now area’s only unbeaten baseball team

 

By CHRIS HOBBS

HobbsDailyReport.com

Watauga High freshman Johnny Ray shut down Alexander Central’s bats – the visiting Cougars had one hit – as the Pioneers won 6-0 on Friday night to take over the baseball lead in the Northwestern 3A-4A.

Watauga (7-2, 2-0) ran its win streak to seven games and is alone atop the league standings while the visiting Cougars (9-1, 1-1) were shutout for the first time this season.

Coming in, Alexander Central had scored at least four runs in each of its games.

Ray (2-0) worked six innings, allowing only a single by Levi Brown. Ray walked two and struck out two with Tristan Salinas pitching the seventh inning and striking out two.

Watauga scored three runs in the first inning and two in the second inning.

J.T. Cook had two of the Pioneers’ seven hits and Jameson Hodges added a hit and drove in a run, Salinas did the same and Cooper Riddle added an RBI.

Caleb Williams took a loss for the Cougars, going four innings. He gave up five hits, six runs (four earned), walked five and struck out three.

Alexander Central is at home Tuesday (6:30 p.m.), facing South Caldwell, and the Pioneers travel to Hibriten (6:30 p.m.); both are conference games.

St. Stephens 6, East Lincoln 5

The Indians (9-0, 5-0) wiped out a 5-1 deficit, scoring four runs in the sixth inning and a run in the seventh inning for a road win that left them alone atop the Western Foothills 3A.

East Lincoln (6-2, 3-2) led 3-1 after a three-run third inning and made it 5-1 with two runs in the fourth inning.

Julien Peissel had two of St. Stephens’ seven hits and drove in two runs and Joshua Barkley and Will Evertt added an RBI each.

Barkley gained a relief win, allowing one hit and striking out five over 3 1/3 innings. Peissell started for the Indians and worked 3 2/3 innings (five runs, three walks, seven strikeouts).

Garrett Michel went 2-for-3 with a home run and three RBIs for the Mustangs. Gavin Houser added a solo home run and Evan Matile had two hits and drove in run.

The Indians improved to 20-4 under head coach Jimmy Bowman, in his second season.

East Lincoln plays a league game Tuesday (6:30 p.m.) at North Iredell.

St. Stephens, up one game on Fred T. Foard and North Lincoln in the league race, plays last-place Statesville on Tuesday (6:30 p.m.) at St. Stephens.

Bandys 11, West Caldwell 0, 5 inn.

Alex Robinson hit a home run and Zach Barnett drove in three runs as the Trojans (8-3, 5-1) ran their win streak to six games and held onto a share of first place in the Catawba Valley 2A Athletic.

Robinson had two hits and Parker DeHart and Parker Stybroski each had two for Bandys. Cade Spencer, Baker Yount and Terick Bumgarner each added an RBI for the Trojans.

Ty Winebarger had the only hit for the Warriors (0-11, 0-6), who lost their 33rd straight game.

Bumgarner picked up a relief win, going four innings and allowing one hit and striking out eight as the Trojans improved to 6-2 at home this season. They scored double-digit runs for the sixth time this year and have outscored opponents 63-3 in their win streak.

Bandys scored four runs in the first inning and five in the second inning.

The game was moved to Bandys because of wet field conditions in Lenoir, and their other game (April 26) will be played at West Caldwell.

Bandys, 131-132 with Frank Porter as head coach, plays Bunker Hill on Tuesday (7 p.m.) at Bandys.

The Warriors have a non-league home game (4 p.m.) on Monday against Avery County then a league game on Tuesday (6 p.m.) at home against East Burke.

Maiden 13, Lincolnton 9

The visiting Blue Devils (4-6, 3-3) snapped a three-game losing streak with a strong outing from Nick Jarosynski, who struck out eight.

Jarosynski worked five innings and gave up five hits, six runs (two earned) and walked three.

Hunter Townsend, Seth Williams, Quinn Rembert and Ethan Hedgepeth each had two hits for Maiden. Rembert doubled and drove in two runs, Hedgepeth and Townsend each had two RBIs and Williams tripled and drove in a run for the Blue Devils.

The 13 runs is a season-high for Maiden (six of those came in the seventh inning with Hayden Fleury, Zane Williams, Hedgepeth and Rembert each driving in runs).

Lincolnton fell to 5-5 overall and 4-2 in the Catawba Valley 2A Athletic after allowing double-digit runs for the fifth time this season.

Maiden is now 19-11 in head coach Dustin Hull’s third season.

The Blue Devils battle Newton-Conover on Tuesday (7 p.m.) at Maiden in a league game while the Wolves go to West Lincoln on Tuesday (7 p.m.) for a conference game.

Hickory 11, West Iredell 0, 5 inn.

The Red Tornadoes (4-4, 2-3) got two-hit pitching by Sammy Nexson to roll to a Western Foothills 3A victory on the road.

Isaiah McDowell had three hits and three RBIs and Izaiah Littlejohn had two hits, including a home run, to spark Hickory (12 hits).

Blake Kiser added two hits and Brady Stober drove in two runs for the Red Tornadoes, who gained career win No. 487 for head coach David Craft (467 wins at HHS, the rest as West Iredell head coach).

Cade Gaither and Seth Huss had hits for the Warriors (2-7, 1-4).

Nexson walked one and struck out 10.

Hickory led 4-0 through two innings and scored six runs in the fourth inning.

The Red Tornadoes registered their second straight shutout (19-0) and third of the year.

West Iredell has allowed 10 or more runs in six games.

Hickory will play Fred T. Foard at HHS on Tuesday (6:30 p.m.) in a league game while West Iredell will face North Lincoln on Tuesday (6:30 p.m.) at West Iredell.

Bunker Hill 4, Newton-Conover 3

Bunker Hill’s Brandon Huffman and Carson Elder each had two hits as the visiting Bears (3-6, 3-3) won a Catawba Valley 2A Athletic game.

Elder and Mark Little had doubles for Bunker Hill and Tanner Kanipe drove in a run.

Ramone Trejo, in relief of Preston Workman, picked up a win for the Bears, going 1 2/3 innings and striking out two. Workman went 6 1/3 innings, allowing three runs (one earned) with four walks and 11 strikeouts.

The Red Devils (3-6, 1-5) lost their fifth straight game.

Bunker Hill plays a conference game Tuesday (7 p.m.) at league-leading Bandys while the Red Devils play a league game at Maiden (7 p.m.).

West Lincoln 14, East Burke 5

The Rebels (5-5, 5-1) scored in double digits for the third time this season, winning a Catawba Valley 2A Athletic game in Icard to share the league lead with Bandys.

West Lincoln scored three runs in the second inning for a 4-1 lead and had four runs in the third inning and three in the fourth inning to go up 10-2.

East Burke (3-5, 3-3) allowed 14 runs for the second time this season.

The Rebels are at home Tuesday (7 p.m.) against Lincolnton while the Cavs go to West Caldwell on Tuesday (6 p.m.) in league games.

If West Lincoln and Bandys win on Tuesday, their game on Friday at West Lincoln (7 p.m.) will be for first place in the CVAC 2A.

Hibriten 11, Ashe County 1

The Panthers (7-4, 1-1) scored nine runs in the first inning at home, winning a Northwestern 3A-4A game behind pitcher Cameron Hodges.

Hodges drove in a run and went five innings, allowing one hit while walking three and striking out four.

Dillan Earp had two hits and an RBI and Kennedy Story and Jude Riddle each drove in two runs for the Panthers, who scored 10 or more runs for the sixth time this season.

Ashe County (2-8, 0-2) has lost four straight games after surrendering double-digit runs for the sixth time this season.

Hibriten is at home Tuesday (6:30 p.m.), playing league-leading Watauga, while the Huskies are at home on Tuesday for a conference game against Freedom (6:30 p.m.).

Draughn 10, Mitchell County 0

The Wildcats (8-2, 3-0) ran their wins streak to eight games, winning a Western Highlands 1A-2A game at home by scoring in double digits for the fourth consecutive game.

Brayden Schutt had three hits, Jacob Mull added two hits, Trey Jensen drove in two runs and Tanner Woody had an RBI for Draughn.

The Wildcats scored once in the first inning, three times in the sixth inning and seven times in the seventh inning.

Draughn has outscored its last two opponents 20-0 and plays a conference game Tuesday at Madison.

Statesville-North Iredell game postponed

Statesville’s visit to North Iredell for a Western Foothills 3A game was postponed due to a lack of umpires and reset for April 22.

The Greyhounds (0-8, 0-4) have lost 41 straight games and 56 of their last 57.

North Iredell is 3-5 overall and 0-4 in the league.

Statesville meets St. Stephens on the road Tuesday at 6:30 p.m., and the Raiders will be at home Tuesday (6:30 p.m.) against East Lincoln. Both are conference games.

SOFTBALL

Bandys 13, West Caldwell 0, 5 inn.

Kenley Rembert had a double among her three hits and Caroline McIntosh and Riley Fox each drove in two runs as Bandys stayed atop the Catawba Valley 2A Athletic with a road win.

Freshman Avery Alexander added three hits and an RBI for the Trojans (9-2, 6-0).

Ellie Hale picked up a win, going five innings. She allowed three hits, walked none and struck out 11.

West Caldwell dipped to 4-5 overall and 1-3 in the league.

Bandys will be at home Tuesday (6 p.m.) against Bunker Hill in a conference game, and the Warriors go to Maiden for a league game at 6 p.m.

East Lincoln 6, St. Stephens 0

Betsy Eatmon had two hits and drove in three runs and Taniyah Thomas added two hits and two RBIs as the host Mustangs (9-0, 5-0) took over first place in the Western Foothills 3A by winning.

Tatum Martin and Jaelyn Freeson each added two hits for East Lincoln, which had nine, and Leah Correll threw a complete game. Correll allowed five hits, walked one and struck out 13.

St. Stephens (6-2, 4-1) got two hits each from Shelby Dale and Chloe Henline, and Mayson Lail took a loss after going six innings. Lail allowed nine hits, six runs (two earned), walked none and struck out 12.

The Indians will play Statesville in a league game Tuesday (6 p.m.) in Hickory, and the Mustangs got to North Iredell for a conference game Tuesday at 6 p.m.

South Caldwell 13, Freedom 0

Kadie Becker provided three hits and drove in four runs and Kenley Jackson had three hits and three RBIs, leading the Spartans’ home win.

South Caldwell (5-0, 2-0 Northwestern 3A-4A) scored three runs in the first inning and six in the fourth inning.

Becker allowed one hit, walked none and struck out seven to gain a win.

Lanie Billings took a loss for the Patriots (2-8, 0-2), allowing three hits, three runs (all earned) with two walks and one strikeout.

South Caldwell plays at Alexander Central on Tuesday in a key conference game while Freedom will play at Ashe County on Tuesday in a league game.

Alexander Central 16 Watauga 0, 5 inn.

The Cougars (11-0, 2-0) stayed unbeaten with a Northwestern 3A-4A victory in Boone that included 15 hits, with the Pioneers making five errors.

Kirsytn Herman went 4-for-4 and Peyton Price, Faith Carrigan and Kenzie Church each added two hits for Alexander Central. Carrigan drove in three runs, while Price, Church and Anna Jordan each added two RBIs.

Kara Hinkle allowed two hits and walked three and struck out six to gain a win.

Bug Noble was the losing pitcher, going five innings. She allowed 15 hits, nine earned runs, walked three and struck out one.

Dagan Newsome and Chloe Wilson had Watauga’s hits.

Alexander Central plays a key league game at home on Tuesday (6:30 p.m. against South Caldwell, and the Pioneers (1-10, 0-2) go to Hibriten on Tuesday for a conference game (6:30 p.m.).

Hibriten 7, Ashe County 6, 9 inn.

The Panthers (6-2, 2-0) held off the visiting Huskies (0-7, 0-2) to win a Northwestern 3A-4A game.

Hibriten led 5-1 after scoring twice in the fourth inning but Ashe County scored three runs in the fifth inning to get within 5-4. A seventh-inning Huskies run sent the game into extra innings.

Ashe County scored a run in the ninth inning for a 6-5 lead that the Panthers wiped out with two runs in their at-bat.

Nadilyn Eason went 4-for-5 with two RBIs and freshman Maleah Lowell had two hits and drove in two runs for the Huskies.

The Panthers play Watauga in Lenoir in a league game Tuesday (6:30 p.m.) while the Huskies are at home for a conference game on Tuesday against Freedom.

West Lincoln 7 East Burke 5

The Rebels (6-3, 5-1) wiped out a 3-1 deficit and won a Catawba Valley 2A game in Icard by scoring three runs in the sixth inning and three in the seventh inning.

Kayla Wehunt had two hits, one a home run, and drove in two runs for West Lincoln. Bailey Huss added two hits and Ellen Godfrey, Amelia Ma and Gracie Elmore each added an RBI.

Harlie Burton gained a win, throwing seven innings. She allowed 11 hits, five runs (three earned), walked none and struck out three.

Taylor Bostian had four hits and drove in two runs for East Burke with Kaylee Paige adding three hits, Grace Hammack adding two hits with two RBIs and Katherine Green posting two hits.

Paige threw a complete game, taking a loss after allowing 11 hits, seven runs (six earned).

East Burke (2-5, 2-3) plays at West Caldwell in a league game Tuesday (5 p.m.), and the Rebels are at home for a conference game against Lincolnton (6 p.m.).

West Lincoln is in second place in the CVAC 2A, a game back of Bandys.

West Iredell 10, Hickory 8

Emma Myers went 3-for-4 with two triples to spark the Warriors’ home win in a Western Foothills 3A game.

Julie Dagenhart went 3-for-4 with an RBI and Kaylee Chapman had a triple and drove in two runs for West Iredell (4-3, 1-5).

Abby Pruett tripled and had two hits and two RBIs, Chy’anne Bryant had two hits and drove in three runs and Mackenzie Hammons added two hits and drove in two runs for the Red Tornadoes (2-7, 1-4).

Chapman pitched seven innings, giving up seven hits, eight runs (four earned) and she walked four and struck out seven to gain a win for the Warriors.

Carlee Logan took a loss for Hickory, allowing four hits over four innings, seven runs (two earned), and she walked one and struck out five.

Hickory will face Fred T Foard in a home league game on Tuesday (6 p.m.), and the Warriors will be a home for a conference game Tuesday (6 p.m.) against North Lincoln.

Patton 13, Avery County 2

Emma Grindstaff went 3-for-4 with two RBIs and Katie Lail did the same to lead the Panthers (6-1, 1-1) to a victory on the road.

Ellie Shuping added two hits, Hailey Snodgrass had two doubles and Cierra Lail hit a home run for Patton.

Marleigh Carswell was the winning pitcher, working three innings. She allowed five hits, an unearned run, walked none and struck out four.

Patton plays at Mountain Athletic 7 2A game on Tuesday (5:30 p.m.) at home against Brevard.

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