Local digest

By News-Argus Staff
Published in Sports on May 17, 2007 2:27 PM

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PRINCETON -- Brittany Baker delivered a key late-game RBI and Princeton escaped Holly Ridge Dixon 5-4 in their opening-round, N.C. High School Athletic Association Class 1-A softball playoff game.

Holding a precarious 4-3 advantage, Sarah Eonta's lead-off single started the Dawgs' sixth-inning rally. Eonta advanced to second on Jill Whitley's sacrifice bunt and scored on Baker's double.

Dixon tallied a single run in the seventh, but couldn't push across the game-tying run.

Princeton (14-7 overall) broke a scoreless tie in the fourth.

Rebecca Harlan drove home Haylee Wood, who laced a lead-off double into left center field. Tylan George pounded out a bases-clearing, two-run triple and she scored on Eonta's fielder's choice groundout.

Dixon (14-8) benefited from three PHS errors in the sixth and pulled within 4-3.

Baker emerged Princeton's offensive leader with three hits in four at-bats. Wood contributed two hits. Harlan, George, Ashley Braswell and Amber Wood finished with one hit apiece.

The Dawgs visit defending state champion Pender in second-round action Friday. Game time is 7 p.m. and admission is $5.

Golf

Ham, Vinson

conclude season

FOX FIRE VILLAGE -- Eastern Wayne's Kyle Ham and Charles B. Aycock's Will Vinson each recorded a top-20 individual finish during the two-day, N.C. High School Athletic Association 3-A championships.

Ham posted a 36-hole round of 77-77--154. Vinson, a senior, turned in a two-day score of 78-79--157.

"The Foxfire East Course had tough putting greens," said Aycock head coach Jay Westbrook. "Will has had a great career at C.B. Aycock and I thought he played well, but just could not get the putts to go in."

Westbrook surmised that Vinson is the first Golden Falcon male golfer to play in three consecutive state tournaments. Aycock qualified as a team during Vinson's sophomore and junior seasons.

Robert Hoadley of Cameron Union Pines was a model of consistency as he claimed medalist honors in the 22nd installment of the 3-A championships. Hoadley carded a 4-under par 140 on the 6,500-yard layout.

Hickory claimed the team championship over Gastonia Forestview by virtue of a lower fifth-player score over the two-day period. Each team fashioned a 36-hole score of 605. Rockingham County, the first-day leader, wound up third.

A total of 84 golfers participated in the championship, which is sponsored by Wendy's and Carolinas Ford Dealers.

Lane Tree Ladies

Association

Lane Tree Ladies weekly tournament winners are: game of the week -- Theresa Merritt; low net -- Donna Adams and low putts -- Teresa Shearin.

Dixie Youth Majors

Wayne Country Day 17, Seymour Johnson Royals 1 -- Cody Neal had a grand slam and Dare Uzzell also homered to help lead Wayne Country Day to a three-inning victory on Tuesday. The tandem of Ryan Kelly and Dare Uzzell led the way on the mound with a strong pitching performance. Wayne Country Day moves to 4-3 with the win.

Wayne County Falcons 10, Rosewood Eagles 0 -- The Wayne County Falcons improved to 8-0 with a 10-0 victory over the Rosewood Eagles on Tuesday evening. Brett Bartlett held the Eagles to two hits with 14 strikeouts over six innings. Jared Rozzi and Bartlett led the Falcons with three hits each. Steven Jessee, K.J. Reavers, Tyler Rowe and Dylan Mitchell added two hits apiece.

St. Paul Bishops 19, Falcons 11 -- St. Paul pitcher Matthew Mintz retired four of the final five batters he faced by strikeout and held the previously-unbeaten Falcons to one run in the last two innings. Joshua Moore and Gray Sasser scored three runs apiece for the Bishops, who improved to 6-2 overall. The Falcons exited 7-1.

Correction

Jonathan Carter homered and had two hits for Eastern Wayne Middle School in its loss to Norwayne on Monday.