By By BRIAN HAINES, Sports Writer
YEATESVILLE — After struggling at the plate for two games the Panthers’ bats finally woke up as they erupted for a 10-3 win over Camden on Friday.
Having been shutout the past two games Northside entered Friday’s contest against its Four Rivers Conference foes searching for runs, and their quest didn’t take long as the Panthers rallied for four runs in the first inning to provide starting pitcher Brandon Marsh with cushion right for the get-go.
Freshman Caleb Sherman led off with a walk and was joined on base one batter later by Marsh after he singled. With runners in scoring position Taylor Woolard stepped up to the plate and broke the Panthers’ scoreless streak with an RBI single that tied the game at 1-1.
Josh Miller kept the rally going when he smashed a bases loaded double that brought two more runs across the plate. Miller would score the fourth and final run of the inning after he stole home on a passed ball.
Northside (6-11, 4-7) coach Keith Boyd said taking the early lead was crucial.
“We have struggled to get runs the last two games, we have had only two hits in the last 10 innings,” Boyd said. “So to come out and get some runs in the first inning really gave us some momentum and confidence.”
After Camden (3-7) scored a run in the top of the second, Northside matched the Bruins’ production when Woolard reached base on an error, stole second and third, then came home on a Justin Boyd base hit.
With a 5-2 lead Marsh was able to keep the Bruins at bay for the five innings that he threw and allowed only three hits before giving way to reliever Grey Burbage, who pitched the final two innings.
Boyd said a big key to Marsh’s success on Friday was his ability to spot his pitches.
“He was on tonight,” Boyd said. “He kept the ball down in the zone for most of the game. He got hit hard only a few times but the defense was their to snag it … We had a few double plays tonight that were big. Once he get a lead he just settled down and threw a good game.”
Camden cut the Panthers’ lead to 5-3 when it scored a run in the fourth, but the Bruins would never get any closer.
Marsh and Burbage silenced Camden over the final three innings, while the Panthers’ offense added five runs in the sixth to insure a victory. The rally was highlighted by Woolard’s third RBI of the game, and a two-out, bases loaded, two-RBI single by Tyler Woolard.
Taylor Woolard paced the Panthers going 2-4 with two RBIs, while Miller and Tyler Woolard each had one hit and drove in two runs a piece.
The Panthers will look for their momentum to carry into their next matchup on Tuesday when they play at Manteo.