CLOSE LOSS: Leading Panthers scoot by Washington

Published 1:25 pm Saturday, April 16, 2016

MICHAEL PRUNKA | DAILY NEWS LEADING THE CHARGE: Fred Holscher waits for his pitch against Ayden-Grifton earlier in the season. He had two hits against North Johnston, including a double that plated two runs.

MICHAEL PRUNKA | DAILY NEWS
LEADING THE CHARGE: Fred Holscher waits for his pitch against Ayden-Grifton earlier in the season. He had two hits against North Johnston, including a double that plated two runs.

The Washington Pam Pack played a tough, highly contested game against 2-A Eastern Plains Conference leader North Johnston, but lost 3-2 Friday night at Futrell Field. North Johnston remains unbeaten in conference play while Washington drops to 2-2.

The Panthers jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the third off of Pack junior starter Tripp Barfield when two walks, a wild pitch and single plated the Panthers’ first run. Barfield struck out the final batter of the inning with two runners on base.

Washington responded in the bottom of the third inning to take a 2-1 lead. After sophomore Tyler Harrell’s strike out to start the inning, sophomore Chris Sulc reached on an error by the Panthers shortstop. Junior Matt Black laid down a sacrifice bunt to move Sulc into scoring position. Junior Cody Godley and sophomore Fred Holscher followed with a single and a double. Holscher’s double plated two runs.

The Panthers scored the tying and winning runs in the top half of the fifth inning off of reliever Godley. After inducing a grounder to third, Godley plunked the next two batters. The fourth batter pulled a double down the left-field line to score one Panther run. This caused a pitching change with Sulc coming to the mound.

The second Panther run occurred with Panther runners on second and third and one out. On a grounder to third baseman Barfield, Barfield threw to home plate to gun down the lead runner, but the runner stopped short of home plate, and retreated toward third. Pack sophomore catcher Cooper Anderson tried to throw out the runner at third, but instead the ball sailed into left field, allowing the run. Sulc ended the inning on a strike out and fly to right field.

For the game, Pack starter Barfield worked four full innings giving up three hits, three walks, striking out four and allowing one run. Pack reliever Godley worked a third of an inning and hit two batters and allowed a double. Sulc finished the game and allowed four hits, but did not give up a walk or run in his 2 and 2/3 innings of work. The Pack defense continues to be good as the outfield, in particular, played a stellar game with several big catches.

The Pack threatened in the bottom of the seventh when Barfield reached on a walk, Harrell put down a bunt and the throw was not in time to nab Barfield at second. With Barfield and Harrell on base and reaching third and second on a wild pitch with no outs, Panther pitching struck out Sulc, junior Matt Black, and Godley in succession to end the game.

Holscher led the way on offense with a single and double. Others collecting hits included senior Neill Jennings, Godley, and junior Logan Little.

The Pack has an opportunity to regain conference momentum next week with road games at once beaten North Pitt and Farmville Central.