Dawson Ables drive is a run as Shallotte took a 6-0 lead in the second inning.
(Shallotte Area Sports Photo/Al Myatt)
Shallotte took advantage of a free pass merry-go-round in a 6-run second inning to take an 11-6 Old North State League baseball win over Coastal Division leader Jacksonville on Wednesday night at West Brunswick’s Mike Alderson Field.
Three walks and two hit batters helped the Shallywags to a 2-0 lead before their first hit, a run-scoring single by Dawson Ables that provided a 3-0 advantage.
Trey Pierce had a 2-run double and Ables came home on a wild pitch to cap the scoring in the second.
Ables and Bobby Fleming had run-scoring singles in the fourth as the Wags went up, 8-1.
Jacksonville, 15-8 in division play, closed within 8-6 with five runs in the top of the fifth.
Shallotte (13-13) responded with three runs in the bottom of the fifth after a leadoff single by Jude Morton was followed by four walks and a sacrifice fly by Pierce.
There was no scoring over the last 3.5 innings.
Chapel Conway started for the Wags and went three innings. He allowed two hits and one run (earned) with one walk and one strikeout.
Ryder Whitacre went the last six innings and was credited with the win. He yielded six hits, five runs (all earned) with seven walks and two whiffs.
“Chapel Conway gave us a great start,” said Shallotte coach James Rice. “Offensively, we took advantage of some opportunities we had early on which gave us a lead.
“We are still one or two big hits away from being where we want to be offensively and what we have been doing most of the season.
“Ryder Whitacre came in relief and shut the door. After a messy fifth, he really settled in.”
Four Osprey pitchers combined to issue 13 walks and hit four batters.
Jacksonville had an 8-7 lead in hits. Each team committed one error.
Ables had two hits and two RBIs from the 10th spot in the order. Pierce had a hit and two RBIs at the top of the lineup. Catcher Michael Royston drew three walks, scored three runs and had two RBIs.
Shallotte hosts Laurinburg on Friday at 7 p.m. The Highland Hooligans are 9-15 going into a home game with Hope Mills on Thursday at 7 p.m.
Chapel Conway gave the Shallywags a solid start on Wednesday night.
(Shallotte Area Sports Photo/Al Myatt)
As a female umpire, Sandy Vaughan is unique in the Old North State League.
(Shallotte Area Sports Photo/Al Myatt)
Michael Royston discards his bat after drawing a walk to force in the first run.
(Shallotte Area Sports Photo/Al Myatt)
