By By BRIAN HAINES, Sports Writer
After losing 15 straight games the Pam Pack baseball team looks like it’s back on the right track as it topped Northside 4-2 on Wednesday to win its second consecutive game in as many days.
Washington picked up its first win of the season Tuesday night in a thrilling 11-7 victory over South Central.
Thanks to a strong effort by Josh Woolard, and a balanced attack at the plate, the Pam Pack (2-15, 1-8) now has its first winning streak of the season.
Woolard was extremely effective on the mound as he pitched all seven innings, letting up one earned run, while striking out seven and walking none.
Woolard also had some success at the plate, where he bashed a leadoff home run in the sixth inning to increase the Pack’s lead to 4-2.
William Rushton picked up the loss for Northside, as he pitched three innings and allowed one run.
As a team, Washington produced 10 hits, with a majority of them coming from the lower half of the lineup.
The Panthers were good for six hits, but had trouble stringing them together for a rally.
Washington got on the board third, when with two outs, the Pack’s nine hitter Cole Hartley was able to knock a single to extend the inning. After leadoff hitter Jacob Duke was hit by a pitch, Hartley would score the Pack’s first run when Gator Moore drilled a RBI single. Moore finished the day 2-3 with a RBI.
Washington’s lower half of the lineup added two more runs in the fourth. After David Tyson and Josh Woolard singled to start off the inning, Weasel Moore grounded into what appeared to be a double play grounder to short. While the Panthers were able to get the force out at second, Northside’s second baseman over throw the ball to first. Tyson tried to score on the error, but was gunned out at home by Northside first baseman Tyler Woolard.
With two outs, Washington’s seven hitter Brandon Thomas smashed a double to score Weasel Moore, and was followed up by Christopher Everette, who drove in Thomas with a RBI single for the Pack’s third run.
Vaughan said the production from the bottom half of the lineup has been a vital part of the Pack’s two wins.
The Panthers answered back in the fifth when Holden Cox and Colby Mason started off the inning with back-to-back singles. After Sonny Robins struck out, an Ethan Coltrain sac bunt moved the runners into scoring position. With the table set, Aaron McKinney stepped up to the plate and smashed a grounder past Washington shortstop Austin Thompson to bring home Cox and Mason, and cut the Pack’s lead to 3-2.
After going scoreless in the bottom of the fifth, Washington’s Woolard led off the sixth with a solo home run to close the scoring out at 4-2.
Washington will look to keep its streak alive on Friday when it plays at West Craven, while Northside (10-7, 5-3) will try and bounce back on Friday at home against Perquimans.
Northside 000 020 0 — 2 6 2
Washington 001 201 X 4 10 3
WP: Josh Woolard; LP: William Rushton
Hitters: N —Zak Boyd 1-3, Dee Martin 1-3, Holden Cox 1-3, Colby Mason 2-3, Aaron McKinney 1-2 (2 RBI); W —Gator Moore 2-3, (RBI), David Tyson 2-3, Josh Woolard 2-3 (HR, RBI), Weasel Moore 2-3 (R), Brandon Thomas 2-3 (2 2B, RBI), Christopher Everette 1-3 (RBI), Cole Hartley 1-3 (R).