By By KEVIN TRAVIS, Sports Editor
Finally, there was laughter in the Washington Pam Pack dugout after a game.
The coaches and players were all smiles after the Pam Pack slammed South Central, 11-7, in Tuesday’s Coastal Conference baseball clash at Futrell Field. It was Washington’s first win of the year.
Justin “Weasel” Moore perhaps had the most fun. The sophomore hit his first career high school home run, a grand slam that sailed over the fence in left to cap the scoring in the sixth inning for Washington (1-15, 1-8).
The Pack jumped out to a 3-0 lead on the Falcons (9-9, 6-3) with three runs in the second. Josh Woolard started the rally with a leadoff double and Moore followed a single. Those were the lone hits for the Pack in the three-run inning.
South Central, which got three hits from Josh Worthington, scored three times in the fifth to tie the game.
Washington starter David Tyson was cruising until then. Tyson settled down after the inning and went on to record the win, going 6 1/3 innings in total.
Washington responded to South Central’s big inning with an eight-run uprising in the sixth. Moore got things started by reaching on an error. Brandon Thomas followed with his third hit of the night, while Christopher Everette also slapped a hit. Cole Hartley’s double drove in a pair as Washington took the lead.
A hit batter and walks to Tyson and Woolard loaded the bases for Moore. He quickly cleared the bases with his first career grand slam, giving Washington an 11-3 cushion.
Tyson seemed to tire a bit in the seventh as South Central put up four runs to pull within 11-7, but the Pack held on for the victory.
Washington will be back in action today at Futrell Field for a 4:30 p.m. game against the Northside Panthers.
Moore is hoping the Pack can build some momentum off Tuesday’s win.
South Central 000 030 4 — 7 12 2
Washington 030 008 x — 11 11 2
WP: David Tyson; LP: Lee Nobles
Hitters: SC — Josh Worthington 3-4 (2B), Tanner Lovick 2-3 (2B), Gavin Mizelle 2-4, Aaron Sharpe 2-4, Lee Nobles 1-2, Ethan Cochran 1-3 (2B), Seth Anderson 1-4; W — Brandon Thomas 3-3 (2 runs), Justin “Weasel” Moore 2-4 (HR, 5 RBI, 3 runs), Christopher Everette 2-4, Justin “Gator” Moore 1-2, Josh Woolard 1-3 (2B, 2 runs), Cole Hartley 1-3 (2B), David Tyson 1-3.
Perkins scores game’s lone run
By KEVIN TRAVIS, Sports Editor
Caitlin Wainwright got the better of Charity Watson in a classic Coastal Conference softball pitcher’s duel.
Watson gave up just one run, but that’s all the South Central Falcons would need as they took a 1-0 win over the Washington Pam Pack on a chilly Tuesday evening.
Emily Perkins, who celebrated her birthday on Monday, scored the game’s lone run. The senior catcher slapped a one-out, two-strike pitch up the middle. After Andrea Britt sacrificed her to second, Perkins raced home on Shaela Churchill’s hit up the middle.
Wainwright made sure the run stood up for the Falcons (13-1, 7-0), who capped off the first half of conference play with an unbeaten record. The South Central ace gave up three hits — two to Kristi Wood — while striking out 10 and walking one.
Watson was nearly as effective for Washington (9-5, 5-2). The junior gave up the one run on four hits while fanning 11 and walking three.
South Central had several other opportunities to score, but the Falcons stranded nine runners on base.
Washington, which left four on base, saw its best chance to score come in the first inning. Allen drew a leadoff walk and went to second when Wood slapped a single into right. However, Wainwright retired the next three batters.
It was the only time in the game the Pam Pack got a runner as far as second base.
Washington, which is now tied with New Bern for second place in the Coastal Conference, starts the second half of conference play Friday at West Craven. Game time is set for 5 p.m.
South Central 000 010 0 — 1 4 0
Washington 000 000 0 — 0 3 2
WP: Caitlin Wainwright; LP: Charity Watson
Hitters: SC — Shaela Churchill 2-4 (RBI), Emily Perkins 1-4 (run), Carolina Wainwright 1-3; W — Kristi Wood 2-3, Lauren Allen 1-2.