LOUISBURG — Grab a multiple-run lead, surrender it and stage another late-inning comeback.
Sound familar?
If you’ve been following the Wayne County Post 11-Louisburg Post 105 series this summer, that’s been the main story line.
The latest plot unfolded Wednesday evening.
Post 11 held a three-run advantage through four innings. Post 105 rallied to tie the game, but watched its opponent erupt offensively in the eighth inning and depart with a 10-5 win.
Wayne County (23-3 overall) completed an unbeaten campaign against Area I West competition (5-0) and landed the No. 1 seed for the playoffs. Post 11 faces fourth-seeded Durham in a best-of-series that starts July 6.
Second-seeded Fuquay-Varina and third-seeded Louisburg meet in the other semifinal-round series.
Tied at 5-5 through seven innings, Landon Sutton reached on an error to start Wayne County’s game-clinching rally. Braeden Collins drew a walk and Cameron Aycock legged out an infield single.
Alex Ferrell plated pinch-runner Carter Gipson, who replaced Sutton, on a bunt that turned into an RBI infield single. Collins trotted home on Wyatt Lassiter’s RBI flyout to left field.
Aycock touched the dish on a double steal with Lassiter.
With two outs, Lane McLean roped an RBI triple to score Lassiter. McLean (2-for-5) tallied Post 11’s final run on an error.
Aycock finished 2-for-3 with two stolen bases, while Collin Woolard ended up 2-for-3 and three RBI. Lassiter (two RBI), Nate Smith, Daniel Kornegay (RBI) and Ferrell provided one hit apiece.
Carson Gipson started on the bump and earned a no-decision. The right-hander permitted an earned run on four hits and collected three strikeouts during his three-inning stint.
Jackson Jenkins threw the fourth and allowed four runs (three earned) on six hits.
Erik Rosas cleaned up in relief. The University of Mount Olive signee yielded three hits and retired seven Louisburg batters on strikeouts in four innings of work.
Wayne County concludes regular-season play today at Kinston Post 43. Game time is 7 p.m. at Viking Field on the Kinston High School campus.
