Post 11 defeats Duplin-Sampson, falls to Apex

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on May 26, 2014 1:46 PM

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DUDLEY -- Wayne County Post 11 needed just 24 hours to replace disappointment with pleasure Sunday evening.

Ryan Faucette homered, Zack Smith collected four RBI and Post 11 hammered out a 15-5, mercy-rule victory over Duplin-Sampson Post 127 on the Doyle Whitfield Athletic Complex.

One day earlier, Post 11 committed seven errors in an 8-4, season-opening loss to Apex Post 124.

"Tonight, I think we came out a little bit more hungry," Post 11 catcher Kevin Williams said. "We came (to the park) more focused today ... more connected. The hitting was there for us.

"Yesterday ... the infield, we made a lot of errors. Today, we cut out the errors and came out with a win."

The non-division affair featured a matchup of future Southeastern Community College teammates -- Post 127 right-hander Larry White and Post 11 righty Jackson Hayes

White, who just completed his freshman season, yielded six earned runs on seven hits and four walks in a two-inning stint. Hayes (1-0) surrendered three earned runs on six hits in a six-inning performance and logged eight strikeouts.

Hayes retired 12 of the final 14 batters he faced, including seven straight from the third to fifth innings.

"Jackson likes to pitch backwards where you throw a curveball (or) change-up early in the count, but tonight we just worried about making them get themselves out," Williams said.

Duplin-Sampson's pitching staff labored to retire Wayne County. White and three bullpen mates -- Justin Kornegay, Trey Pate and Ryan Hall -- combined to give up 12 earned runs on 13 hits and eight walks.

Wayne County (1-1 overall) invoked the mercy rule just four innings into the 2-hour, 6-minute affair. The top five batters in the lineup -- Garrett Joyner, Williams, Ryan Faucette, Chad Spurgeon and Zack Smith -- combined for 11 of Wayne County's 13 total hits.

Smith delivered a four-hit outing that included three hits with runners in scoring position. Faucette (2-for-3) deposited a two-run bomb over the left-field fence in the second inning.

Post 11 batted 9 for 19 with men in scoring position on the night.

"Our guys were patient (because) their guy (White) came out and wasn't consistent throwing strikes, and our guys were taking the walks when they were getting them and hitting the ball hard," WC assistant coach Josh Frederick said.

"Jackson gave us a good start. He was throwing strikes ... needs to locate his fastball a little better, but his offspeed was there."

On Saturday, Apex pushed across eight runs (three earned) on just seven hits against a shaky Wayne County defense. Post 124 claimed its first-ever win over Post 11 in six meetings.

Methodist University left-hander Greg Johnson took the mound loss. Joyner, Williams (RBI), Faucette and Spurgeon (RBI) supplied two hits apiece.

Wayne County returns home Wednesday to face defending Area I champion Garner. Post 11 launches its Area I East Division campaign Thursday at Rocky Mount Post 58.