Austin Watson tracks down a Midway runner who grabbed a big lead off first base.
Brandt Young|Sampson Independent
Mason McKee awaits a throw from the outfield before applying the tag to the Raider runner. The slide by Midway would break up the play, though, resulting in the runner taking third base.
Brandt Young|Sampson Independent
Tyler Odom tosses over to first for the unsuccessful pickoff attempt.
Brandt Young|Sampson Independent
Tyler Odom jumps back to first after the Midway pitcher attempted the pick.
Brandt Young|Sampson Independent
Hayden Waller fires a pitch from the stretch.
Brandt Young|Sampson Independent
Mason McKee catches a Raider in a pickle between second and third.
Brandt Young|Sampson Independent
Ben Hope comes around on a big dig at a pitch late in Monday’s game.
Brandt Young|Sampson Independent
Channing Grady squares up for a bunt attempt.
Brandt Young|Sampson Independent
Over the weekend, continuing into this week, the Southern Wayne baseball team traveled to Kinston to take part in the DBC Eater tournament held at historic Grainger Stadium, as part of a showcase for baseball talent over the Easter break. After falling to East Duplin in a close 6-5 battle on Saturday, the Saints lost by another slim margin — 8-7 — at the hands of the Midway Raiders on Monday afternoon.
The scoring started early for the Saints, who batted first in the game. Hayden Waller and Brayden McKee both walked to start the game, but Waller was picked off trying to steal second. An error from Midway’s left fielder allowed Tyler Odom to reach first and McKee to move all the way to third. A single by Kaeden Hinson, which resulted in a fielder’s choice, scored McKee for the 1-0 lead to start the game. The Saints kept the Raiders scoreless in the bottom of the first, preserving the early lead.
Southern Wayne got off to a hot start in the top of the second, with Austin Watson and Cameron Beasley reaching base on walks as Midway’s pitcher continued to struggle with control. A sacrifice bunt attempt from Ben Hope was ineffective in advancing either runner, and Watson was thrown out at the plate on his way home on a single by Channing Grady. Waller was walked to put him aboard and load the bases, but Brayden McKee’s foul tip was caught on his third strike to end the inning.
The Saints’ defense continued to be effective, as the Raiders left two runners on the bases in the bottom of the second, scoring no runs still.
Scoring broke open even further for Southern Wayne in the top of the third when Odom singled and Hinson doubled to get themselves on the base paths. A sac fly from Mason McKee scored Odom, and a walk by Watson put runners at the corners. Beasley hit into a fielder’s choice that allowed Hinson to score. An error on a hit by Hope scored Watson, making it a 4-0 affair. Waller smacked a triple to right to score Hope and Grady after Grady’s single put him aboard. The bottom of the inning started with a 6-0 Saints lead.
Three straight singles and a sacrifice fly gave Midway two runs in the bottom of the third, as the Raiders started their trend of slowly closing in on the lead. The Saints couldn’t respond in the top of the fourth, with Odom grabbing the only hit in the half-inning, never advancing past second. The Raiders added another pair of runs in the bottom half after a walk and a double with just one out put two runners on the bags for them. A single and a sac fly were the catalysts for the scoring for Midway in this frame, cutting the Southern Wayne lead to 6-4 at this point.
Beasley struck out to begin the top of the fifth, but back-to-back walks for Hope and Grady landed two Saints on base. Waller flew out to right field, but this allowed Hope to move to third. A single by Brayden McKee scored Grady for the 7-4 lead. As was the pattern, Midway grabbed another pair of runs in the bottom of the fifth to close the gap to just one at 7-6. A 1-2-3 sixth inning for the Saints spelled trouble as the bats had cooled off and Midway’s pitching heated up.
The Raiders took the lead in the bottom of the sixth on the fourth straight two-run frame for them, making it an 8-7 ball game before the final out of the inning. Southern Wayne left two runners stranded on base in the top of the seventh, never notching another run to tie the game, and the game ended after the Saints failed to do so.
Odom and Waller split pitching duties for the Saints. Odom pitched 3 2/3 innings, while Waller came in as relief for the final 2 1/3. Odom gave up four runs on seven hits, had three walks, and struck out three. Waller gave up four runs on four hits, walked on, and struck out none. The Saints moved to 7-14 on the season and remain at 4-8 in Quad County 3A conference play. They run-ruled North Lenoir on Tuesday to finish their time at the DBC tournament, racing past the Hawks at 13-3. They will host West Johnston next Tuesday for their final home game and will travel to C.B. Aycock on May 1 for the final game of the regular season.
