Wayne County Post 11 shortstop Davis Albert is hit by a pitch during early-inning action against Wilson Post 13 Wednesday evening. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
Wayne County Post 11 right-hander Will Pennington works against Wilson Post 13 in the first inning. A rising sophomore at the University of Mount Olive, Pennington allowed one hit during his stint on the mound. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
Wayne County Post 11 head coach Adam Pate, blue sweatshirt, talks with his team during middle-inning action against Wilson Post 13. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
Wayne County Post 11 third baseman Braeden Collins takes a pitch during his first at-bat Wednesday evening. Collins eventually emerged as the winning pitcher after Wayne County edged Wilson, 2-1, in eight innings. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
Wayne County Post 11 outfielder Wyatt Lassiter and catcher Carter Aycock fist bump as they head to the dugout after the third inning Wednesday evening. Lassiter scored on the game-winning run on a passed ball in the bottom of the eighth inning. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
Wayne County Post 11 first baseman Alex Ferrell retires Wilson’s Seth Evans on an inning-ending putout during Wednesday evening’s game at the C35 Complex. (Rudy Coggins|mountoliveribune.com)
Sometimes you need a little luck, especially when your high-octane offense sputters instead of clicking on all cylinders.
Good fortune benefited Wayne County Post 11 Wednesday evening.
Wyatt Lassiter raced home on a passed ball, which capped an eight-inning, 2-1 walk-off triumph over Wilson Post 13 on the C35 Complex diamond.
“It was a close one,” WC head coach Adam Pate said.
No doubt.
The long-time senior Legion rivals scrapped and clawed at the plate on a night when hits were at a premium. Wayne County’s pitching staff allowed five hits, while Wilson surrendered just two — both by reliever Drew Wells.
Wells took over for left-hander Hunter Lewis, who held Post 11 hitless through five innings. He issued three walks and recorded five strikeouts.
“They had a lefty on the mound and he threw the ball well,” Pate said. “We hit the ball right at people, but didn’t find as many holes and outfield grass that we’ve found [earlier] this week. We had some good at-bats and didn’t have a lot to show for it.”
On the night, Wayne County put 13 runners aboard and stranded six in scoring position. Post 13 gunned down one runner at the plate and turned an inning-ending double play to force extra innings.
Wilson broke the scoreless tie in the fifth inning.
Jace Flowers greeted Post 11 reliever Nate Smith with a lead-off double and moved to third on Thomas Daniels’ base knock. After a groundout, Peyton Clay dropped an RBI single into left field.
Smith worked himself out of trouble and ended up with two strikeouts in 1 1/3 innings. Bullpen mate Braeden Collins took the mound and posted seven strikeouts over three-plus innings to earn the win.
“Our bullpen did a great job,” Pate said. “Everyone who toed the rubber put us in a great spot on the mound, that’s for sure.”
Down 1-0, WC designated hitter stroked a lead-off single to right field. Carter Aycock legged out a bunt to reach first. Woolard stole third, while Aycock remained at first.
With a full count against Alex Ferrell, Woolard and Aycock perfectly executed a double steal. Woolard scored for the 1-1 tie. Ferrell eventually walked and stole second base.
Wilson’s Tyson Foster intentionally walked Cameron Dearing to get to lead-off batter Lane McLean, who popped up for the first out of the inning. Davis Albert popped up on a suicide squeeze bunt that led to an inning-ending double play.
Post 13 first baseman Seth Davis delivered a one-out base knock in the eighth and moved to third on a throwing error. Collins halted the short rally with back-to-back strikeouts.
“Collins shut them down,” Pate said.
Wayne County started its eighth-inning comeback with a strikeout. Foster hit Wyatt Lassiter, who took second on a four-pitch walk to Collins.
Foster intentionally walked Woolard to load the bases.
Two pitches later, Lassiter tallied the game-winning run on a passed ball to keep Wayne County unbeaten in four contests this season. Post 11 extended its win streak to seven over Wilson (2-1) and leads the all-time series 94-59.
“We had some really good instinctual movement on the bases by Aycock, Woolard and Davis,” Pate said of his team’s resiliency. “[I learned] they’re tough, obviously. You like to have certain attributes about you. Momentum swung Wilson’s way a few times. We stayed on an even keel, didn’t feel the pressure and we kept on pushing.”
Post 11 travels to Louisburg Post 105 today. Game time is 7 p.m.
