Kerr-Vance cruises to 16-0 victory over Halifax
BY RYAN LEGER
RLEGER@HENDERSONDISPATCH.COM; 252-436-2840
The Kerr-Vance Academy baseball team hosted Halifax Academy (1-8, 0-3) in a 1A/2A Carolina Independent Conference matchup Tuesday evening, cruising to a comfortable 16-0 victory over the visiting Vikings after just five innings of play.
The Spartans (6-1, 3-0) didn’t waste any time at the plate, scoring 12 runs off Vikings’ senior hurler Larry West over the first three innings of action. Freshman Colby Wilkerson (2 IP, 5 K’s) made the start for Kerr-Vance, nearly striking out every Halifax batter he faced as he didn’t allow a single baserunner during his short stint on the mound.
Holding a 9-0 advantage, Spartans’ head coach Todd Wilkerson decided to go to his bullpen due to the new pitch count rules and right-hander Cam Murphy (3 IP, 4 K’s) didn’t disappoint. The sophomore was excellent in relief, giving up just two hits as he kept the Spartans’ shutout intact.
“Colby [Wilkerson] did a great job on the mound for us and then I wanted to get Cam [Murphy] some innings as well, and he came in and did a terrific job too,” Todd Wilkerson said.
Wilkerson (4-4, 5 RBI), who stroked two doubles, and Murphy (2-4) were also pivotal pieces of the Spartans’ offensive
attack Tuesday, while senior Jabe Montgomery (3-4, 4 RBI) had a huge game at the plate as well, doubling twice and belting a triple on the night.
Spartans’ junior Wil Short (2-4, 2 RBI) and senior Banks Conde (1-3, 2 RBI) were also extremely productive, but the entire Kerr-Vance lineup got in on the fun as 10 different players recorded hits during the contest.
Freshman Wyatt Humphries (1-3, RBI), along with eighth-graders RJ Johnson (1-2, RBI) and Chance Murphy (1-2, RBI), drove in the remainder of the Spartans’ runs. Kerr-Vance sophomore Matt Overton (1-1) and eighth-grader Cole Merritt (1-1) each produced a hit in their lone at bat of the evening.
“We were patient at the plate, got some good pitches to hit and hit the ball extremely well,” Todd Wilkerson said. “We need to ride this momentum into our game against Oakwood Thursday night.”
Even though the Spartans have a lot of experienced at the top of the order, Wilkerson has had to rely on younger players more than ever before, including a few that haven’t even reached high school yet.
“The younger kids are coming along very well. Our older guys are still carrying the team, but they’ve done a great job,” Todd Wilkerson said. “They all have the right attitude and the future looks real good. They’re all getting some playing time, and playing at such a young age will definitely help them develop faster, which I think will benefit us a lot towards the end of the season.”
Wilkerson credited his upperclassmen with helping the less experienced players to prepare themselves for the demands of varsity baseball, specifically on a team looking to make another deep run in the state playoffs this spring.
“They just lead by example, on and off the field,” Todd Wilkerson said. “They show them the attitude they need to have in practice and in games, no matter what the score is.”
The Spartans (6-1, 3-0) will try and remain unbeaten in conference play when they host Oakwood (2-3, 1-2) Thursday night.
BY RYAN LEGER
RLEGER@HENDERSONDISPATCH.COM; 252-436-2840
The Kerr-Vance Academy baseball team hosted Halifax Academy (1-8, 0-3) in a 1A/2A Carolina Independent Conference matchup Tuesday evening, cruising to a comfortable 16-0 victory over the visiting Vikings after just five innings of play.
The Spartans (6-1, 3-0) didn’t waste any time at the plate, scoring 12 runs off Vikings’ senior hurler Larry West over the first three innings of action. Freshman Colby Wilkerson (2 IP, 5 K’s) made the start for Kerr-Vance, nearly striking out every Halifax batter he faced as he didn’t allow a single baserunner during his short stint on the mound.
Holding a 9-0 advantage, Spartans’ head coach Todd Wilkerson decided to go to his bullpen due to the new pitch count rules and right-hander Cam Murphy (3 IP, 4 K’s) didn’t disappoint. The sophomore was excellent in relief, giving up just two hits as he kept the Spartans’ shutout intact.
“Colby [Wilkerson] did a great job on the mound for us and then I wanted to get Cam [Murphy] some innings as well, and he came in and did a terrific job too,” Todd Wilkerson said.
Wilkerson (4-4, 5 RBI), who stroked two doubles, and Murphy (2-4) were also pivotal pieces of the Spartans’ offensive
attack Tuesday, while senior Jabe Montgomery (3-4, 4 RBI) had a huge game at the plate as well, doubling twice and belting a triple on the night.
Spartans’ junior Wil Short (2-4, 2 RBI) and senior Banks Conde (1-3, 2 RBI) were also extremely productive, but the entire Kerr-Vance lineup got in on the fun as 10 different players recorded hits during the contest.
Freshman Wyatt Humphries (1-3, RBI), along with eighth-graders RJ Johnson (1-2, RBI) and Chance Murphy (1-2, RBI), drove in the remainder of the Spartans’ runs. Kerr-Vance sophomore Matt Overton (1-1) and eighth-grader Cole Merritt (1-1) each produced a hit in their lone at bat of the evening.
“We were patient at the plate, got some good pitches to hit and hit the ball extremely well,” Todd Wilkerson said. “We need to ride this momentum into our game against Oakwood Thursday night.”
Even though the Spartans have a lot of experienced at the top of the order, Wilkerson has had to rely on younger players more than ever before, including a few that haven’t even reached high school yet.
“The younger kids are coming along very well. Our older guys are still carrying the team, but they’ve done a great job,” Todd Wilkerson said. “They all have the right attitude and the future looks real good. They’re all getting some playing time, and playing at such a young age will definitely help them develop faster, which I think will benefit us a lot towards the end of the season.”
Wilkerson credited his upperclassmen with helping the less experienced players to prepare themselves for the demands of varsity baseball, specifically on a team looking to make another deep run in the state playoffs this spring.
“They just lead by example, on and off the field,” Todd Wilkerson said. “They show them the attitude they need to have in practice and in games, no matter what the score is.”
The Spartans (6-1, 3-0) will try and remain unbeaten in conference play when they host Oakwood (2-3, 1-2) Thursday night.
