By By BRIAN HAINES, Sports Writer
A Northeastern four-run rally in the seventh inning kept the Pam Pack still on the hunt for its first win of the season as the Eagles earned a 10-9 win over Washington in its home opener on Thursday,
Up 9-6, Washington reliever Michael Robinson surrendered a three-run, home run to Eagles’ cleanup hitter Ryan Cooke that knotted the game at 9-9.
Cooke was a force for Northeastern as he bashed two homers to finish the game 3-4 with 5 RBIs.
After the Cooke round-tripper, Washington’s Cole Hartley came on in relief and issued two consecutive walks, before allowing the Eagles’ Cade Turner to rip a single down the third base line and score Corey Ramos for the game-winning run.
The Pack (0-3) looked like it might piece together a two-out rally in the bottom of the seventh when Gator Moore reached first on a single, however, Eagles’ reliever Christian Horn struck out Cody House for the final out. Horn pitched two innings of relief two get the win.
Down for a majority of the game, the Pam Pack was able to take the lead in the bottom of the sixth when it rallied for five runs to go up 9-6.
Hatteras Brooks smashed a two-run double that scored David Tyson and Gator Moore to start the rally. After a Jake Duke walk, Austin Thompson smacked a triple to left field that would bring home two more runs. Starting pitcher Josh Woolard (3 innings, 2 runs, 3 K’s) would finish off the scoring when he drove in Thompson for the team’s ninth run.
Washington coach Darin Vaughn was disappointed with the loss, but proud of the way his team kept battling.
On a chilly night the Pam Pack pitchers were inconsistent, as too was its defense, but Vaughn said neither weather or the fact that its the beginning of the season can be used as an excuse.
On the bright side, Washington got strong performances from its two freshmen Duke and Brooks. Batting in the leadoff spot, Duke did an excellent job setting the table as he was 3-3 with a double and a run scored. Hitting in the nine spot, Brooks was 2-3 with two doubles and a team-high four RBIs.
The Pam Pack will look to pick up its first win of the year on Monday when it takes on Rocky Mount at home.
Northeastern 300 030 4 — 10 8 1
Washington 110 115 0 — 9 11 4
WP: Christian Horn; LP: Cole Hartley
Hitters: N — Christian Horn 1-4, Kyle Meads 1-3 (3B, RBI), Ryan Cooke 3-4 (2 HR, 5 RBI), Corey Ramos 1-4, Trey Fowlers 1-4, Cade Turner 1-4 (RBI); W — Jake Duke 3-3 (R), Austin Thompson 1-3 (3B, 2 RBI), David Tyson 2-4 (2 R), Gator Moore 1-2 (R), Hatteras Brooks 2-3 (4 RBI).