By By KEVIN TRAVIS, Sports Editor
WINTERVILLE — Washington got in a hole early and South Central wouldn’t relent, leading to a 10-3 victory for the Falcons. Tuesday’s win for South Central gave the two teams a split in their Coastal Conference series.
Pam Pack coach Darin Vaughan was hoping for a sweep, but his team had to settle for the split. The same thing happened with the D.H. Conley Vikings earlier in the season.
The Pack (10-6, 4-5) managed to take a 1-0 lead in the top of the first. Austin Thompson (2-for-4, RBI) smacked a two-out double. After David Tyson was plunked and Justin Meekins drew a walk to load the bases, Gator Moore (2-for-3, RBI) singled to score Thompson.
That’s all Falcon starter Ethan Cochran (2 runs, 5 hits, 5 strikeouts in 6 innings) would allow until the sixth.
South Central responded with three runs on four hits in the bottom half. Cochran set the tone with a leadoff single off Tyson (10 runs, 6 earned, 14 hits, 1 strikeout in 5 2/3 innings), who started on the hill for Washington.
Aaron Sharp (2-for-2, 2 RBIs) and Justin Jordan had RBI singles, while Harrison Bonner’s sac fly scored another to give the Falcons a 3-1 advantage.
The first of two Washington errors led to two runs and a 5-1 South Central lead in the second.
The Pack’s second error, coming in a three-run fifth, was also costly. Corey Bolam (2-for-4, 2 RBIs) hit an RBI double, while a throwing error brought in two more Falcons for an 8-1 advantage.
Brandon Thomas lifted a sac fly in the sixth to pull the Pack within 8-2 in the sixth.
Jordan Oakley (4-for-4, RBI) hit his second double of the game to complete a perfect night at the plate, scoring a run for a 9-2 lead. Bolam’s second hit of the night capped the scoring for South Central and gave the Falcons a 10-2 cushion.
Jimmy Hardison singled and later scored on Thompson’s slap into left to complete the scoring.
The Pack returns to action at home Friday to take on West Craven for a 7 p.m. game.
It will be Cal Ripken Youth League Night on Friday. Players with an adult will be admitted free. The players will be able to take the field prior to the game.