By David Rogers. LENOIR, N.C. — Pioneer sophomore Everett Gryder allowed just one run on three hits while striking out six Ashe County batters on April 30 to lead Watauga past the Huskies, 2-1, in the Northwestern Conference tournament semifinals at M S Deal Field.
Watauga scored two runs in the bottom of the first inning and that’s all they needed behind Gryder’s 3-hit effort and fellow sophomore Evan Burroughs coming on for an inning of scoreless relief.
Pioneer catcher Cooper Critcher knocked in both Watauga runs with a one-out double in the opening frame, scoring Burroughs, who had singled, and shortstop Maddox Greene, who had walked.
Sophomore righthander Jordan Tibbs went the distance for Ashe County, allowing the two runs on just five Pioneer hits.
With the win, Watauga advances to play top-seeded South Caldwell on Thursday, May 2, with first pitch scheduled for 7 p.m.
KEY PERFORMERS
- WAT – Everett Gryder: winning pitcher, six innings pitched, one run on three hits, striking out six and walking two.
- ASHE – Jordan Tibbs: six innings pitched, allowed 2 runs on 5 hits, striking out three batters while walking two.
- WAT – Cooper Critcher: 1-3, 2 RBIs, 2B
- WAT – Evan Burroughs: 2-3, 1 run scored
- WAT – Maddox Greene: 0-2, 1 run scored, walk
