By John McCormick

For The Daily News

 

After winning the Little Tarheel District 6 championship in Swansboro and recently playing a few games in the Cal Ripken state tournament in Wilson, Washington made the transition back to the coach-pitch rules of the Little Tarheel State Tournament.

Washington’s 8U team defeated Ashe County in the opening game of the tournament held at the Susiegray McConnell Complex in Washington. In a game that lasted about an hour, Washington was able to come from behind on two occasions to secure a 5-3 victory.

“It’s very important for our momentum,” said head coach Zach Mixon. “We talked to the guys about staying in that winners’ bracket and not having to play extra games, so it’ll keep us a little fresher.”

After back-to-back fielders choices in the top of the first inning from Ashe County, a loud single off the bat of Kyle Pennington drove in the first run of the game.

Washington would come to the plate in the bottom of the first inning and answer back with a pair of runs. Jacob Spivey and Gavin Sawyer started the rally with two hard singles that landed in the outfield grass. Then cleanup hitter Wright Collins lined the ball past the pitcher and into centerfield to score the first run of the game for the home team.

With a runner on base, Cade Mixon stepped into the box. Mixon lined the ball of the end of the pitcher’s glove and was able to reach base safely and while knocking in the go-ahead run.

In the bottom of the third inning, Ashe County retied the game at two when leadoff hitter Tucker Roten drove the ball to right-center field.

With one out in the bottom of the fourth inning, Ashe County recorded back-to-back hits. The consecutive hits allowed Brent Mash to drive in the go-ahead runs.

After two scoreless innings in a row from Washington, the bats came back alive in the fifth inning. A leadoff single from Mixon and Jeffery Dobson got the offense back on track.

Matthew Jefferson then reached base safely, knocking in the third run of the game for Washington. Tanner Moore and Bryce Williams each blasted two hard singles of their own to keep the fifth inning rally alive.

With two outs in the bottom the fifth, Will Glover came up to bat and knocked in Moore and Jefferson, which gave Washington the lead back and added an insurance run.

Washington would hold onto the five-three lead with solid defense in the top of the sixth to secure the first victory of the tournament.

Washington will stay in the winner’s bracket and play the winner of Williamston and Parkwood tomorrow at 11:15 A.M.