PCS Phosphate narrowly avoids upset

Entering with just one win this season, No. 7-seeded On The Waterfront was supposed to be an easy win for a No. 2-seeded PCS Phosphate team full of up-and-coming high school talent. But with nothing to lose, the Washington Junior Babe Ruth League’s alleged bottom feeder made it the most entertaining matchup of Monday’s postseason tournament.

Powered by a towering solo home run from Cooper Anderson and a couple of late-inning errors, Washington’s PCS erased a surprising early deficit and came through with a 7-3 victory over Washington’s On The Waterfront, locking up a place in the semi-finals.

Tripp Bonner had yet another productive start for PCS, allowing three runs (one earned) on four hits and two walks in four innings of work. He finished with seven strikeouts.

“Defense was definitely good tonight, along with the pitching,” said PCS coach Doug Sulc. “Tripp did an excellent job at the beginning of the game. We’re in pretty good shape with our pitching if we can match them up in the right situation.”

For On The Waterfront, Jeremiah Moore matched Bonner on the hill, using a knuckle ball-fastball combination to keep hitters off balance. He allowed three runs (one earned) on three hits and one walk, striking out three.

In the first, after Bonner retired the side, PCS threatened with a double from Anderson and a walk to Riley Davis, eventually placing two runners in scoring position. Moore escaped the inning with two-straight strikeouts.

But in the second inning, it was PCS that struck first. Bonner led off with a single through a gap in the infield. Colby Case reached on a fielder’s choice and crossed home two batters later on a single by Parker Sheppard and a throwing error from the pitcher.

On The Waterfront took the lead in the top of the third after a leadoff single by Brady Moore, a hit batter and a single to left field by Cody Pinkham. In what was the only error of the day for the No. 2 seed, Logan Hale hit a shot to left and the ball was bobbled by the outfielder, clearing the bases and giving the No. 7 seed a 3-1 lead.

PCS tied it in the bottom half of the frame, however, after Anderson hit a homerun into the bushes in centerfield. Two errors resulted in another run. Bonner later escaped a bases loaded jam in what was a scoreless fourth inning.

Finally, PCS obtained the lead in the fifth after Nick Cooper walked the firs two batters and Tyler Harrell followed with a two-RBI single through the infield. PCS tacked on another two runs in the sixth, capitalizing on three infield errors.

Harrell, who pitched a scoreless fifth and sixth, picked up the win. Chris Sulc recorded a walk and a strikeout in a scoreless, hitless seventh for PCS.

With the win, PCS improves to 12-2 and will face No. 4-seeded Choco Dry Cleaners on Wednesday at 7 p.m. in the semi-finals. Coach Sulc hoping to align a matchup with rival and No. 1 seed Coastal Car Connection in the championship, set for Thursday in Washington.

“We have to go back there and play that game over,” he said. “That’ll be the best of three right there. We got them earlier in the season then they got us later in the season, so we’re ready.”

Choco Dry Cleaners takes care of Choco FBC

CHOCOWINITY — Choco Dry Cleaners, the No. 3 seed in the Washington Junior Babe Ruth postseason tournament, knocked off No. 6-seeded Chocowinity First Baptist Church on Monday in the quarterfinals, held at the Chocowinity Recreation Fields.

Choco Dry Cleans will face No. 2-seeded PCS in the semi-finals, set for Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the Susiegray McConnell Complex in Washington.

For Choco Dry Cleaners, starting pitcher Josh Toler tossed six innings, allowing four runs on five hits, striking out five.

Chocowinity FBC’s Cody Modlin came around to score in the first inning, but his team would be limited for the next three frames, as the host piled on the runs.

Carlos Casiano, who finished with four RBIs on the day, singled in the second. Chris Hardison followed with a single of his own, then Ryan Kolibabik rocketed a triple to the gap in right-center, plating Haridson and Liam Toler, who reached on a fielder’s choice. After an RBI single from Carter Barnes, Choco Dry Cleaners led 3-1. A single by Marshall Medlock would result in another run in the third.

Choco Dry Cleans would put the game away in the fourth after Liam Toler reached on an infield error and Kolibabik, Barnes, Josh Toler and Medlock recorded four-straight singles. All would eventually come around to score.

With the win, Choco Dry Cleaners improves to 10-4, while Chocowinity FBC closes the season 3-11.

Vidant Medical impresses in opening round

PINETOWN — No. 4-seeded Vidant Medical of Belhaven activated the 10-run mercy rule against No. 5-seeded Z-23 of Washington on Monday in the quarterfinals, held at Northside High School.

Belhaven’s offense exploded in the first inning for five runs on an error, two walks, a hit batter and singles from Matthew Marslender, James Hopkins and Blake Cordon. Vidant Medical tallied another four runs in the second on an error, three walks and singles by Hopkins, James Barrow and Memphis Slade-Credle.

Down 9-1 after two innings, Washington chipped away in the third after hits from Harrison Schmidt, Colton Baker and Bryson Brooks resulted in a three-run frame. But for the host, the offensive onslaught would only continue. Leading 11-5, four walks and a two-RBI single from Marslender resulted in four more runs and, ultimately, the end of the game.

Marslender finished the day 3-for-4 with three RBIs, while Hopkins went 2-for-4 with an RBI.

With the win, Vidant Medical improves to 7-7, while Z-23 closes the season 5-9. Coverage of Tuesday’s semi-final game pitting Vidant Medical and top-seeded Coastal Car Connection will be available in Thursday’s sports section.