Rasberry's 2 HR's in fifth powers APA to win over Westminster Catawba
By Junious Smith III / Sports Editor KINSTON FREE PRESS
The person not expected to play Thursday turned out to be the difference in Arendell Parrott moving on to the NCISAA semifinals.
Zacchaeus Rasberry hit two home runs during a big fifth inning for the Patriots, who came from behind against Westminster Catawba in a 9-4 victory during the quarterfinal round. Arendell Parrott (22-8), came off of a bye in the first round as the No. 4 seed and trailed 4-1 heading into the bottom of the fifth before scoring eight runs on the way to its path to a second straight state title.
“It feels great and I’m happy to survive to play another day,” Patriots coach Robert Kravitz said. “I told the team at this point, it’s all about heart.”
Early on, Westminster Catawba (15-7) displayed its heart. The No. 12 Indians defeated No. 5 Calvary Baptist Day 7-4 on Tuesday and scored two in the top of the first on an RBI single by Carson Rowland and a bases-loaded walk elicited by Austin Wise.
Arendell Parrott closed the gap in the bottom of the third. Rasberry, who suited up despite 11 stitches after taking an errant throw to the face Monday against Fayetteville Academy, legged out an infield single, then advanced to second on an Alex Henderson grounder. Colby McLawhorn walked as Rasberry attempted to steal third, with the throw going wild and allowing the first run for the Patriots. Westminster Catawba applied additional pressure on Arendell Parrott in the top of the fifth, with a run-scoring single by Rowland and a Wise RBI sacrifice bunt to go up 4-1.
The Patriots took over in the bottom of the frame, with Rasberry leading off with a solo home run to deep centerfield to cut the deficit to 4-2. After Henderson singled and Colby McLawhorn doubled, a wild pitch while Charlie King was up to bat allowed Henderson to score. King struck out, but after Zach Vendeamia and Matthew Huntley drew walks, John McLawhorn stroked a 2-run double to right center field to put Arendell Parrott up 5-4.
Arendell Parrott continued the onslaught, as Connor Bright hit a 2-run single to right. Rasberry followed with another towering blast in the same location — this one a 2-run shot — to extend the Patriots’ lead to five.
“As the leadoff man (in the fifth), I was just trying to do my job after we trailed 4-1,” Rasberry said. “When I got the first home run, I think it pumped everyone up in the dugout and everyone did their part while we scored those runs.
“The second time I was at bat, (Westminster Catawba) had a different pitcher who had an unorthodox delivery. I studied him in the on-deck circle and was able to pick up the mistake he threw.”
The Indians looked to rally in the top in the seventh. After JoJo Spear struck out the first batter, Cole Bagley and Wise singled and Andrew Dillon was hit by a pitch the load the bases. Vendemia ended the threat and the game by catching a Scott Corley lineout and stepping on second for the unassisted double play.
“I saw the ball coming to me, so I had to make a play,” Vendemia said. “Right before then, I had told the shortstop ‘let’s make a double play to end the game.’”
For Indians’ coach Jason Terry, the fifth inning was simply too much.
“I told the guys you always have to stop the bleeding,” Terry said. “That’s a good team (in Arendell Parrott) — they’re the defending state champions and you have to be perfect to keep them down. Our guys were getting tired in the fifth inning, but they battled in the seventh. They didn’t give up, but it just didn’t work out.”
ARENDELL PARROTT 9, WESTMINSTER CATAWBA 4
WC 200 020 0 — 4 10 1
APA 001 080 X — 9 9 2
WC: Thomas, Early (5), Dillon (5), Bartruff (5) and Bartruff, Barnes (5). APA: King, Bright (5), Spear (6) and C. McLawhorn.
By Junious Smith III / Sports Editor KINSTON FREE PRESS
The person not expected to play Thursday turned out to be the difference in Arendell Parrott moving on to the NCISAA semifinals.
Zacchaeus Rasberry hit two home runs during a big fifth inning for the Patriots, who came from behind against Westminster Catawba in a 9-4 victory during the quarterfinal round. Arendell Parrott (22-8), came off of a bye in the first round as the No. 4 seed and trailed 4-1 heading into the bottom of the fifth before scoring eight runs on the way to its path to a second straight state title.
“It feels great and I’m happy to survive to play another day,” Patriots coach Robert Kravitz said. “I told the team at this point, it’s all about heart.”
Early on, Westminster Catawba (15-7) displayed its heart. The No. 12 Indians defeated No. 5 Calvary Baptist Day 7-4 on Tuesday and scored two in the top of the first on an RBI single by Carson Rowland and a bases-loaded walk elicited by Austin Wise.
Arendell Parrott closed the gap in the bottom of the third. Rasberry, who suited up despite 11 stitches after taking an errant throw to the face Monday against Fayetteville Academy, legged out an infield single, then advanced to second on an Alex Henderson grounder. Colby McLawhorn walked as Rasberry attempted to steal third, with the throw going wild and allowing the first run for the Patriots. Westminster Catawba applied additional pressure on Arendell Parrott in the top of the fifth, with a run-scoring single by Rowland and a Wise RBI sacrifice bunt to go up 4-1.
The Patriots took over in the bottom of the frame, with Rasberry leading off with a solo home run to deep centerfield to cut the deficit to 4-2. After Henderson singled and Colby McLawhorn doubled, a wild pitch while Charlie King was up to bat allowed Henderson to score. King struck out, but after Zach Vendeamia and Matthew Huntley drew walks, John McLawhorn stroked a 2-run double to right center field to put Arendell Parrott up 5-4.
Arendell Parrott continued the onslaught, as Connor Bright hit a 2-run single to right. Rasberry followed with another towering blast in the same location — this one a 2-run shot — to extend the Patriots’ lead to five.
“As the leadoff man (in the fifth), I was just trying to do my job after we trailed 4-1,” Rasberry said. “When I got the first home run, I think it pumped everyone up in the dugout and everyone did their part while we scored those runs.
“The second time I was at bat, (Westminster Catawba) had a different pitcher who had an unorthodox delivery. I studied him in the on-deck circle and was able to pick up the mistake he threw.”
The Indians looked to rally in the top in the seventh. After JoJo Spear struck out the first batter, Cole Bagley and Wise singled and Andrew Dillon was hit by a pitch the load the bases. Vendemia ended the threat and the game by catching a Scott Corley lineout and stepping on second for the unassisted double play.
“I saw the ball coming to me, so I had to make a play,” Vendemia said. “Right before then, I had told the shortstop ‘let’s make a double play to end the game.’”
For Indians’ coach Jason Terry, the fifth inning was simply too much.
“I told the guys you always have to stop the bleeding,” Terry said. “That’s a good team (in Arendell Parrott) — they’re the defending state champions and you have to be perfect to keep them down. Our guys were getting tired in the fifth inning, but they battled in the seventh. They didn’t give up, but it just didn’t work out.”
ARENDELL PARROTT 9, WESTMINSTER CATAWBA 4
WC 200 020 0 — 4 10 1
APA 001 080 X — 9 9 2
WC: Thomas, Early (5), Dillon (5), Bartruff (5) and Bartruff, Barnes (5). APA: King, Bright (5), Spear (6) and C. McLawhorn.
