By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — Wilkes County had a 2-out rally get runners in scoring position in the bottom of the second inning on July 15, but couldn’t get them across. They made up for that failure and then some just an inning later, manufacturing eight runs on six walks, six passed balls, three stolen bases and just two singles in the third frame, en route to a convincing, 14-5 win over Watauga. For the Boone boys, it was the final elimination game this year in the Tar Heel League 15U double elimination tournament, played at Watauga High School.
The 8-run scoring outburst in the third inning followed a single run in the first, then Wilkes added one more run in the fifth inning before completing their scoresheet with four additional tallies in the sixth. The game was stopped after the sixth inning due to the 2-hour time limit imposed by the THL rules.
All but one of the Wilkes County rostered players crossed the plate for at least one run, led by leadoff batter Layden Dyer’s three runs scored, going 1-1, but getting on base with two walks and an error through the course of the six inning affair. He took advantage of his on-base opportunities with two stolen bases while also advancing on four passed balls and a wild pitch.
Maverick Griffith’s hitting line noteworthy, going 1-2, but also drawing a pair of walks and adding a stolen base in scoring two runs on the day.
Victor Olvern also took advantage of Watauga miscues, credited with an 0-2 day at the plate, but was issued a walk and reached first on an error before stealing a base and leveraging three passed balls to score two runs.
A notable performance at the plate and on the basepaths for Watauga were by second baseman Jonathan Bouboulis, going 2-2, including a double while scoring two runs. He alertly advanced on two Wilkes County errors.
Watauga third baseman Joseph Hemrick also smacked a double during the game, going 1-3 and advancing on an error by the Wilkes County rightfielder on his way to scoring a run. Other runs scored were by Caden Morsette and Quinn Cashwell.
With the win, Wilkes County advances to a second game on July 13, another elimination game, this time vs. Hickory, which lost earlier to Alexander County.
BONUS PHOTOS (for best viewing on PC or laptop, click on any image for Slide Show mode)
All photographic images by David Rogers for High Country Sports
