Pate's HR sparks Princeton

By News-Argus Staff
Published in Sports on May 27, 2007 1:59 PM

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CAMDEN -- Dustin Pate clubbed a fourth-inning home run and Ryan Daughtry earned his second postseason save as Princeton -- again -- rallied for a come-from-behind 5-2 victory over Camden County on Friday evening.

The No. 8-ranked Bulldogs swept the Class 1-A N.C. High School Athletic Association eastern regional series 2-0 and will make their second state-final appearance in the last four years.

Princeton, which won state titles in 1992 and 1994, oppose either East Surry or Cherryville in next week's state championship series.

"We're excited to be there again," said PHS head coach Bruce Proctor, whose team improved to 23-6 overall. "I'm extremely pleased with the boys. I really am."

Princeton went up 1-0 on Adam Nethercutt's RBI single in the top of the first. Back-to-back first-pitch doubles by Weston Dodson and Chase Riggs keyed a two-run uprising for the Bruins in the bottom half of the frame.

"Early on everything that could go wrong, did," said Proctor. "We're looking around and it's the fourth inning, and we're down 2-1 despite mistakes and bad breaks.

"We were lucky to give up just two runs in the first."

The stood stood until Pate slugged his game-tying, seventh homer of the season in the fourth. Designated hitter Jonathan Hartley followed with a single. Two walks later, Michael Radford put the Dawgs ahead for good, 3-2, with an RBI single.

"Pate really got us going, put a charge in us with that home run," said Proctor. "Our pitching and defense held on."

Junior right-hander Chris Hinton limited Camden to one hit and recorded six strikeouts after the first inning. Daughtry supplied two innings of four-strikeout, one-hit relief as the Bulldogs remained unbeaten in six playoff outings.

Jared McLamb concluded the scoring with a two-RBI double in the fifth. It was McLamb's lone hit in two at-bats.

Princeton catcher Daniel Gerrell doubled in three plate appearances. Adam Nethercutt batted 2-for-4 with an RBI. Radford finished with two hits.

Brian Brown led Camden (19-10) with two hits.

Princeton 100 220 0 -- 5 7 2

Camden 200 000 0 -- 2 6 2

Leading hitters -- Princeton -- Dustin Pate 1-3, HR, RBI; Jared McLamb 1-2, 2 RBI; Daniel Gerrell 1-3, 2B; Adam Nethercutt 2-4, RBI; Michael Radford 2-4, RBI. Camden County -- Brian Brown 2-3; Weston Dodson 1-4, 2B.

IP H R ER BB SO

Princeton

Hinton (W) 5 5 2 2 2 6

Daughtry (S, 2) 2 1 0 0 1 4

Camden County

W. Dodson (L) 3 1/3 4 3 2 5 2

Plymel 3 2/3 3 2 2 0 3