By Staff
Ronnie Woodward, Sports Writer
A day after playing in a game that featured 35 runs, the Washington 10U All-Star team lost a pitchers’ duel Friday, 7-5 to Wayne County, in the Cal Ripken State Tournament at the Susiegray McConnell Sports Complex.
The loss eliminated Washington from the tournament.
Ryan Davis kept the Washington hitters off balance on Friday, as he struck out eight and allowed only seven hits in six innings pitched.
Washington used two pitchers, Devon Van Cura and Curby Clark. Clark retired all three batters he faced in the fifth inning, the only inning that Wayne County didn’t score.
Down 7-1 heading into the fifth inning, Washington was in need of a spark, and got one.
Shortstop William Page led off the Washington fifth with a single. Clark walked and Wesley Lane later singled to load the bases with one out. Page scored after an infield fly was dropped, taking advantage of the error to race home for the Washington score. Two batters later, Patrick Thompson delivered a clutch two-out, bases-clearing double to cut the deficit to 7-4.
Washington rallied again in the sixth inning, scoring one run before its season came to an end.
Washington’s first three batters reached safely in the final frame, but Davis struck out the last two to end the Washington threat and keep Wayne County’s season alive. Van Cura led off the inning with a single and Bradley Smith followed by reaching on an error. Smith later scored Washington’s fifth and final run.
Thompson and Van Cura led Washington offensively, both recording two hits.
Wayne County scored all seven of its runs in the first four innings. Four singles and a double guided Wayne County to a three-run fourth inning, which extended the lead to 7-1 and proved to be too much of a deficit for Washington.
Shortstop Ryan Faucette paved the way for Wayne County offensively, recording a hit in each of his three at-bats. Faucette put Wayne County ahead in the bottom of the first with an RBI double, and finished the game with two RBIs and two runs scored.
Washington lost its first game of the tournament, 25-10, to Winter Park.
The tournament champion will be determined on Sunday.
Washington softball All-Stars still alive
Staff Reports
HENDERSON — The Washington 10U and 16U softball All-Stars are still alive in the 2007 Southeast Regional Babe Ruth Tournament.
The 10U team won both of its games on Thursday. Washington opened with a victory over Ocee Park, Ga. No score was available.
The hometown All-Stars followed that up with a 6-0 victory over New Kent, Va., to stay in the winners bracket.
Washington was slated to play Mauldin, S.C., in the third round Friday. The winner would play the survivor between Wilson County and Henderson County today at 5 p.m.
The 16U team opened Thursday’s action with a 10-0 victory over Madison. However, Washington fell into the losers bracket after falling to Altamonte Springs, Fla. No score was available.
Washington will play in an elimination game today at 9 a.m. against either Cashie or Henderson County. If Washington wins, it will play again today at 3 p.m.
8U baseball team ousted
NEW BERN — The Washington 8U All-Star baseball team lost twice in the ENC State Babe Ruth Tournament.
Washington fell 11-0 to Wilson County on Wednesday and then was eliminated after a 13-6 loss Thursday to East Chatham.
15U team loses opener
HAVELOCK — The Washington 15U All-Star baseball team fell 5-0 to Borderbelt-Lumberton in the first round of the ENC State Babe Ruth Tournament on Thursday.
Washington played ElCiPaCa in an elimination game Friday.
If Washington won, it would play another elimination game today at 3 p.m.