Wayne County drops state tournament opener

By From staff reports
Published in Sports on July 15, 2011 1:47 PM

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PIKEVILLE -- Wayne County could not overcome an error-filled performance en route to a 7-1 defeat against Nash County during the opening round of the Eastern N.C. Babe Ruth 13-year old baseball state tournament at Charles B. Aycock High School on Thursday.

Wayne County committed seven errors, six of which were throwing errors.

"You can not give a good team extra outs," said Wayne County head coach Jeff Smith. "I thought the pitching was pretty good and we were able to get some hits. We just made far too many errors."

Nash County jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the top of the third inning.

Brandon Kelly singled and advanced on an error, Tyler Barrett singled and Marquis Cloud drew a walk to load the bases. Hunter Moore plated one run with a single and two additional runs scored on the second Wayne County error of the inning.

Wayne County battled back in the bottom of the sixth inning when Lloyd Lowe reached on an error, Ethan Chapin bounced into a fielder's choice and Braxton Leeper was safe on an error. Dylan Harrison tallied Wayne County's only RBI of the game with a single.

Nash County wasted no time answering Wayne County's outburst.

Barrett drilled a base hit with one out in the seventh inning and moved into scoring position when Cloud reached on an error. Darius Cooper loaded the bases with a single and watched as two runs scored on another Wayne County miscue.

Cooper crossed home on a wild pitch and Forest Bell finished the scoring when he was driven in by a double off the bat of Luke Mills.

Barrett pitched six innings to get the mound win.

Trent Herndon suffered the loss for Wayne County.

Wayne County faces Henderson in an elimination-round game today. First pitch is 7 p.m.