RWA Earns Split with Fairfield Central
Jacob Steele works through a tight spot in Friday’s game at Fairfield Central. (Photo/Martha Ladd)
BATESBURG – There are long nights, and then there are long nights – nights against the Knights. The kind of nights that last two days and cost you more than just a region loss.
Richard Winn Academy’s outing against W.W. King Academy lasted just 3 1/3 innings Monday before rain postponed the affair. By then, the Knights had carved out a 2-0 lead. To make matters worse, Elijah Tucker was knocked out of the contest after only 2/3 of an inning.
Racing from the mound to cover the plate after his rain-soaked pitch got away from the catcher, Tucker was banged up in the play at home, dislocating his left shoulder. The right-handed pitcher, who leads the Eagles in home runs and RBIs, was slated to make a trip to the doctor’s office this week to determine his availability for the Eagles down the stretch.
Coker Gilbert came on with two down in the first and gave up a run in 2 and 1/3 innings, surrendering five hits and striking out one before the rains halted the game.
When play resumed Tuesday, Matt Taylor took the hill, giving up a run on one hit while striking out one.
Hunter Griffin started things out for King on Monday, giving up a hit and striking out five Eagles. Carlos Long closed the deal on Tuesday, striking out seven. Conrad Sharpe, Cameron Cooper and John Coleman each collected a hit against the King battery.
The Eagles, now chasing King for the region lead, have a chance at redemption on Thursday (April 16), with a 6 p.m. home game, then close out region play next Tuesday with a 6 p.m. home game against Laurens Academy.
Last Friday, the Eagles earned a season split with crosstown rivals Fairfield Central, banging out 15 hits for a 10-6 win over the Griffins.
Tucker earned the win, giving up just one hit on two innings of work. Mitchell Gibbons gave up two runs on a hit and three walks in just 1/3 of an inning, and Jacob Steele threw one full inning, giving up four runs on two hits and two walks, striking out one. Gilbert tossed 2 and 1/3 scoreless innings, striking out five Griffins and giving up a pair of hits, and Blake Pauley mopped up, fanning three of the four batters he faced in 1 and 1/3.
For the Griffins, Lane Floyd took the loss, giving up three runs on five hits, two walks and two strikeouts over two innings. Rodrick Woodard gave up four runs on five hits and two walks through 1 and 2/3, and Antonio Jackson surrendered three runs on five hits and three walks, striking out six in the final 3 and 1/3.
Taylor and Sharpe led the Eagle attack, with Taylor going 3-for-4 with 3 runs and 3 stolen bases and Sharpe going 3-for-5 with a double and 2RBIs. Cooper was 2-for-5 at the plate with a double and an RBI, and Chris Christianson stroked a pair of doubles in a 2-for-4 night. Gilbert and Pauley were each 2-for-3 with Pauley delivering 2RBIs and Gilbert one. Coleman was also 1-for-2 on the night with a stolen base.
Brandon Adams and Travius Williams each went 2-for-4 for the Griffins, with Adams jolting a double and bringing home 2RBIs. Williams also delivered a double for the Griffins. Stanley McManus was good for 2RBIs and a stolen base, going 2-for-3, and Dalton Truesdale was 1-for-2 with a pair of stolen bases and 2 runs scored.
