GOLDEN LEAF INVITATIONAL: Walker's heads-up play lifts Saints

By Justin Hayes
Published in Sports on March 29, 2016 1:48 PM

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WILSON -- Fast and loose.

The maxim is on its way to becoming a staple of Southern Wayne baseball, as evidenced Monday night by a dugout-raving, 8-7 victory over Parrott Academy at Hunt High School.

The Saints, courtesy of Manny Walker's base running, plated the decisive run in frenetic style to cap a wild night of offense on day two of the third annual Golden Leaf Invitational.

Southern Wayne (4-7 overall) struck first, working Parrott starter Charlie King deep into the count and coaxing the righty into two first-inning walks. The Saints' Tyler Brock then rode a King offering to deep left-center field, plating Jack Casbarro for a 1-0 advantage.

It wouldn't last long.

The Patriots, highlighted by the speed of lead-off man Zacchaeus Raspberry, staged their own rebellion. Parrott looked every bit the part of a scoring machine, notching a quick three-run reply and signaling the possibility of a run-rule onslaught.

Southern's Alex Bradley, however, had other ideas.

The senior pitched with moxie throughout, scattering seven hits and as many runs to earn the win. He routinely evaded jams by inducing ground balls and timely pop-ups, an effort lauded by head coach Jackson Massey.

"He's been big for us his last three starts," Massey said, "(and) he didn't try to do too much, gave us five strong innings... battled for us."

Southern Wayne's hitters were strong as well, inflicting run damage in each inning except the fifth when King retired the side in order. The righty's evening crested in the sixth, however, when he allowed Casbarro to cross home plate on a passed ball.

His roller coaster -- which included 10 strikeouts -- set the stage for the finale, which was authored summarily by Walker.

Tied at 7-7, the junior entered to pinch run for reliever Josh Jernigan, who reached on a single to right field. Without hesitation, Walker stole second base, then third, which applied pressure to Parrott reliever Zach Vendemia.

A third strike to Derek Holsinger was dropped by Patriots' catcher Colby McLawhorn, who scrambled to make a throw to first base.

The chaos gave Walker an opening, and his speed took care of the rest. His slide at the plate evaded McLawhorn's tag of the return throw from first, scoring the decisive run and launching the Saints' faithful into bedlam.

"That was all him," Massey said of the run from third. "He made a good read at the plate."

After the dust settled, Jernigan worked a quick bottom of the seventh to earn the save. He also kept Southern's hope of a tournament championship alive as well.

The Saints (2-0 overall) conclude Invitational play against Rocky Mount at Hunt High School. First pitch is 3 p.m.