By David Rogers. MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. — It was another high-scoring, 1-run ball game for the Watauga Pioneers at The Ripken Experience baseball complex on April 23 — and once again the High Country’s favorite sons survived a late opponent’s rally in taking a 9-8 win over the Proctor Raiders of Utica, N.Y.
Just like the day before against Fort Mill (S.C.), the Pioneers took an early lead, scoring four runs in the first inning. Proctor battled back to push ahead, 5-4, after the third inning, but the Watauga rallied with five runs in the fifth and sixth frames. As the home team in this round of tournament play, holding the New Yorkers to only three runs in the top of the 7th inning secured the win for the Pioneers.
KEY WATAUGA PERFORMERS
- WAT – Maddox Greene: 2-4, 3 runs scored, 1 RBI, double, 4 stolen bases
- WAT – Evan Burroughs: 0-3, 1 run scored, hit by pitch, 2 stolen bases
- WAT – Cade Keller: 2-4, 2 runs scored, 3 RBIs, triple, stolen base
- WAT – JT Cook: 1-3, 2 RBIs, 1 walk
- WAT – Dillon Zaragoza: 3-4, 2 runs scored, 1 RBI, double, stolen base
- WAT – Brett Vannoy: 1-3, 1 RBI, 1 walk
- WAT – Walker Ransdell: 1-1, 1 RBI, double
- WAT – Jake Blanton: 0-3, 1 run scored, hit by pitch, stolen base
- WAT – JJ Everett: 1-3, 2 stolen bases
