By Staff
KEVIN TRAVIS, Sports Editor
CHOCOWINITY -- Two young programs took the field on Tuesday, but it was the first-year program that gave the fourth-year program fits.
South Central, playing its first year of baseball, used a huge 8-run sixth inning en route to a 12-1 victory against Southside. The Seahawks (3-2), in their fourth year of existence, managed just two hits against the Falcons (4-1).
Southside coach Linwood "Red" Lewis said it wasn't so much physical abilities that hampered his team in the non-conference setback, but mental problems.
The Seahawks did manage to keep things close early, trailing just 1-0 after one inning and 3-0 after four innings. But the Falcons ripped nine hits and sent 13 batters to the plate in the sixth.
South Central coach Robert "Peanut" Langston, who left West Craven last season to build the new baseball program, was thrilled with his team's performance.
John Allen Conway started things off for the Falcons by slapping a leadoff single, then eventually scored for the early lead.
Southside's Billy Squires slapped a single to right in the first before he was thrown out trying to steal second base. Zack Squires ripped a single to left in the second, but he was left stranded there.
The Falcons used small ball to increase their lead in the fourth. Ed Green and Bryant Cooke walked to start the inning. Brandon Brown then dropped down a bunt, and Green raced all the way home when nobody covered the plate for the Seahawks. Donnie Faust's bunt over the pitcher's mound brought in Cooke to make it 3-0.
Green made it 4-0 in the top of the fifth when he doubled in Conway, who had walked.
Southside got its lone run in the bottom half. Dewayne Whealton and Kevin McRoy drew walks to start the inning and the runners advanced on a passed ball. Kevin Boyd followed by flying out to left, scoring Whealton with the sacrifice fly.
The Falcons then broke the game wide open in the sixth. Faust, who went 4-for-4, had two hits in the inning, including an RBI single. Randle Hobbs and Stephen Causey added pinch-hit RBI singles in the uprising.
Bill Hopkins picked up the win, striking out eight and walking five over eight innings. Conway closed it out by striking out the Seahawks in order in the bottom of the sixth.
Southside begins Four Rivers Conference play Friday by hosting defending conference champion Williamston.
South Central 100 218 -- 12 15 0
Southside 000 010 -- 1 2 2
WP: Bill Hopkins; LP: Ryan Blackard
SC -- Donnie Faust 4-4 (2 2Bs, 2 RBI), Bill Hopkins 2-4, Ed Greene 2-3 (2B, RBI), Brandon Brown 2-4 (2B, RBI); SS -- Zack Squires 1-1, Billy Carter 1-2.