Pilgreen’s homer helps East Beaufort 16U all stars to win
Published 9:29 pm Monday, June 26, 2017
CHOCOWINITY — East Beaufort’s 16U all stars and Warren County locked horns in a much-anticipated rematch from last year’s state-championship game. East Beaufort went on to win that game a year ago, but Warren County went on to win the entire region.
The best players from Bath and Belhaven emerged victorious in this encounter, 8-0. The two sides were deadlocked until East Beaufort broke through with a pair of runs in the top of the fourth.
Savannah Slade led off the stanza with a single over the left side. The speedy Northside rising senior made her way to second base and then scurried to third on a groundout. She scored the icebreaker on Teagan Pilgreen’s single to shortstop. Pilgreen made it 2-0 when she came in on a double off the bat of Cameron Rose.
East Beaufort continued to stymie the opposition behind Rebekah Williams’ pitching and stout infield defense. She conceded a two-out single in the bottom of the fourth, but stranded the runner by quickly inducing a pop up back to herself.
While Warren County couldn’t find its way onto the scoreboard, it kept the game within reach until the top of the sixth. Kaylee Elks dropped a base hit right over third base and then stole second. Pilgreen then stepped up and cranked a two-run shot over the fence in right centerfield. The home run busted the game — and, unfortunately, the windshield of a minivan parked just beyond the fence — wide open.
East Beaufort, enjoying a comfortable lead late, added four more runs to ensure the win. The local 16U all stars earned the No. 1 seed in the tournament, which starts Tuesday.