Post 11 beats Pitt County 160

By News-Argus Staff
Published in Sports on June 30, 2008 1:54 PM

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WINTERVILLE -- Jay Rose foiled a late-game coaching strategy and delivered the game-winning hit as Wayne County Post 11 prevailed 12-8 in 10 innings over Pitt County 160 on Sunday evening.

The reigning Area I champion, Wayne County (11-3 overall) claimed its fifth consecutive victory and clinched a spot in the Area I East playoffs. Post 11 improved to 4-3 in South Division play.

The loss mathematically eliminated Post 160 from the season-ending, eight-team tournament.

Windy conditions helped send five balls out of the South Central High School park, including four by Wayne County. John Wooten, Zach Wright, Thomas Pilkington and Nolan Lancaster each hit a round-tripper for the visitors.

Pilkington has cranked three homers in his last four games.

The four extra-base shots helped Post 11 and Wooten, who relieved starter Michael Douglas, build a four-run cushion through eight innings. Douglas, who earned a no-decision, permitted seven hits and one earned run in six innings.

Wooten, however, quickly encountered trouble. Aarin Sharpe singled and moved into scoring position when Jordan Corbett laced an 0-2 pitch into left field. Sharpe crossed on a wild pitch and Corbett trotted home on Will James' sacrifice fly to make it 8-6.

After escaping a bases-loading, ninth-inning jam, Pitt 160 forged an 8-8 deadlock in the ninth. Wooten issued back-to-back walks to Tanner Lovick and Josh Kozup. Each runner advanced on a wild pitch and Lovick scored on a deep sacrifice fly that nearly cleared the right field fence.

Sharpe connected on an RBI single and moved to second on Corbett's fourth hit of the evening, but got hung up in a rundown. That would be Post 160's last gasp and the game headed to extra innings.

Alex Casey was hit by a pitch to start Wayne County 10th. With one out, Walker Gourley was hit by a pitch. Wooten received an intentional walk, which loaded the bases for Rose and set up a possible force at the plate.

Rose ruined the strategy. The designated hitter, who was batting .500 in his previous 14 at-bats, drilled a two-RBI single up the middle. Wooten scored on Wright's sacrifice fly and Lancaster drove home Pilkington to make it 12-8.

Post 11 right-hander Adron Hollowell threw the 10th to secure the win. Wooten claimed his second mound victory of the season.

Wayne County steps outside Area I East play for the next few contests. Post 11 entertains North Raleigh on Tuesday and travels to Garner on Wednesday.