Wayne County Americans fall short

By Rob Craig
Published in Sports on July 15, 2007 2:03 AM

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Steve Wells wasn't sure what to expect from his assembled all-star team.

Most of his kids hadn't played together and that lack of cohesiveness worried the coach.

Following a forgettable loss to powerful West Raleigh during the first day of play in the Eastern N.C. Cal Ripken 12 U state tournament, his Wayne County Americans were looking for something good to happen.

Shortstop J.D. Howard stepped up and provided three special moments.

The slugger hit three home runs and drove in five to lead the Americans to a 9-6 win over Camden County at the Eastern Carolina Athletic Park on Friday evening.

But in the nightcap, Wayne County's tournament run drew to a close as they were beaten by New Bern 13-3 in four innings.

"We're just an all-star team assembled at the end of the season," said Wells. "For that, I'm proud of our guys. We did well and had a pretty good showing."

Against Camden County, the Americans got off to a good start in the first inning.

After starting pitcher Tyler Folk stranded the bases loaded in the top of the inning, Howard got Wayne County on the scoreboard with a two-RBI home run.

Later, Camden had tied the game thanks in part to two passed balls when Wayne County came to bat in the bottom of the fourth.

Jamie Dove led off with a bunt single. Then with one out, Jeremy Lancaster singled him home to give Wayne County a lead it would never relinquish.

Howard followed with his second two-run bomb to break the game open.

Grayson Wells added an RBI single and Dove singled in two more runs to cap a six-run inning, giving Wayne County the 8-2 lead.

Howard later added his final homer, a solo shot in the sixth inning, to seal the game for the Americans.

"J.D. was just unreal," said Wells. "He was on his game tonight."

In the second game of the day against New Bern, Wayne County ran into a more talented and experienced team.

New Bern went ahead 3-0 in the first inning and never looked back.

Kyle Walker did give the Wayne County fans and his teammates something to be excited about in the bottom of the fourth when he drilled a Austin Cooper pitch for a three-run homer to keep the Americans from being shutout.

Regardless of the final score, the Wayne County team walked off the field with their heads held high.

"We got a win in a state tournament," said Wells. "That's something to be very proud of."

Game 2

Camden County 011 022 -- 6 8 1

Wayne Co. Americans 200 61x -- 9 11 0

Leading hitters -- Camden County -- Jordan Hassell 2-2, RBI; Hunter Haskett 2-3, RBI; Erin Forbes 2-2; Garrett Cartwright 1-4, HR, RBI. Wayne County -- J.D. Howard 4-4, 3 HR, 5 RBI; Jamie Dove 2-3, 2 RBI; Grayson Wells 1-1, RBI; Jeremy Lancaster 1-3, RBI.

SB -- B. Forbes, Dove. CS -- E. Forbes.

IP H R ER BB SO

Camden County

Woodhouse 1 1/3 3 2 2 1 3

E. Forbes (L) 2 1/3 3 5 5 3 1

Cartwright 1 1/3 3 2 2 2 2

Wayne Americans

Folk 1 1/3 1 1 1 3 1

Howard (W) 3 1/3 4 3 3 2 3

Parks 1 1/3 3 2 2 2 2

Game 3

New Bern 331 6 -- 13 10 0

Wayne Co. Americans 000 3 -- 3 4 1

Leading hitters -- New Bern -- Andrew Reid 2-2; Si Gillikin 2-3, 2 RBI; Josh Taylor 1-2, HR, 3 RBI; Jesse Bishop 1-1, 3B. Wayne County -- Kyle Walker 2-2, HR, 3 RBI; Josh Dixon 1-2, 2B.

SB -- Reid, Walker. CS -- Walker.

IP H R ER BB SO

New Bern

Gillikin (W) 2 2 0 0 0 2

Barnes 1 0 0 0 3 1

Cooper 1 2 3 3 2 1

Wayne Americans

Folk (L) 1 1/3 4 4 4 0 1

Lancaster 2 3 3 3 2 0

Walker 0 1 3 3 2 0

Howard 0 1 2 2 1 0

Dixon 2/3 1 1 1 1 0