Frederick hurls two-hit gem in six-inning stint

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on March 9, 2009 1:46 PM

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CARY -- Welcome back Josh Frederick.

After missing two-thirds of last year's high school season with a hand injury, Frederick returned to the mound in masterful fashion Saturday afternoon.

The junior left-hander permitted two hits in a six-inning stint as No. 5-ranked Eastern Wayne shut out West Rowan 3-0 in the fourth annual Impact Baseball Invitational. It was the Warriors' season-opening game.

"Josh gave us a very good start," said Eastern Wayne head coach Jabo Fulghum. "He pitched well and gave us a good outing. It was a good way to start the season ... a great tournament with some quality teams."

Eastern Wayne (1-0 overall) emerged one of five teams to post a shutout during the day-long, 18-team event contested at the USA National Baseball Training Complex.

"I was pleased with our effort and that was one positive from the win," said Fulghum. "We played very focused and the kids were hungry. That was our first game of the season and we should have been hungry."

Frederick threw 68 pitches to 20 batters. He collected six strikeouts and walked one. John Wooten provided one inning of two-strikeout relief and earned the save.

"Josh threw strikes ... had command of his fastball, which he kept down and got ahead of the hitters," said Fulghum. "He was very sharp. I had no doubt he could pitch well and I have a lot of confidence in him.

"Defensively, we played well and we had no errors."

The Warriors, the reigning Eastern Carolina 3-A Conference champions, erased the scoreless tie in the first inning. Colton Fulghum reached base and scored on Wooten's RBI triple. Wooten finished with two of Eastern Wayne's five hits and plated two runs.

East Carolina signee Walker Gourley started the Warriors' third inning with a lead-off double. The senior infielder trotted home on Wooten's second hit, an RBI double.

Wooten accounted for Eastern Wayne's final run in the fifth inning. Also an ECU signee, Wooten drew a lead-off walk, stole second and scampered home on Cambric Moye's double that bounced off the left field wall.

"We had some hard outs on balls that were hit hard," said Fulghum. "I'm obviously pleased with our win, but we have a busy week ahead against some good teams."

The Warriors entertain South Central today and the teams meet again Thursday afternoon at Clark-LeClair Stadium on the ECU campus. Eastern Wayne welcomes defending 4-A state champion J.H. Rose on Friday.