Trojans turn back Wildcats, 10-3
BY MICHAEL LINDSAY
ENTERPRISE SPORTS WRITER
HIGH POINT — Wesleyan Christian found ways to get it done against Westchester Country Day.
The Trojans scratched across five runs through the first five innings, while pitcher Luke Davis held the Wildcats in check, and pulled away in the sixth to win 10-3 in a nonconference meeting of area NCISAA baseball powers Tuesday at the High Point Athletic Complex’s Ed Price Field.
“We just didn’t play well tonight,” Wesleyan coach Scott Davis said. “We were sluggish and a little complacent. We left too many runners on. But, it’s like I told the kids, it’s a ‘W.’ We need games that can make us understand what we need to be doing. So, this was one of those games ....
“We have three outstanding pitchers and then we’ve got two guys who can pitch in middle and late innings. We’ve hit the ball really well all year. So, we’ve got a good team. And sometimes you’re not at your best. Tonight we won not at our best — and so that’s a good thing.”
Nick Caldwell went 3 for 4 with a double and two RBIs to lead the Trojans (12-0), the reigning 3A state champions. Caleb Cozart also went 2 for 3 with an RBI, while Jacob Kohns had a hit and an RBI. Patrick Bailey and Brett Kerry each had a double, and Kody Proctor added an RBI groundout.
Wesleyan scored twice in the first inning,keyed by a pair of singles to the outfield and a pair of singlesin the infield, and once in each of the second, third and fifth innings to lead 5-0.
Those runs came on an error, a wild pitch and a groundout as neither team was particularly at its sharpest. But the Trojans, behind five solid innings by Louisburg recruit Luke Davis (4-0), took advantage of a handful of mistakes to build their leadand then pulled away with five runs on four hits in the sixth.
“We played good,” Caldwell said. “I think allaround we’re coming together much better. We’re starting to play as a team. ... We took a lot of pitches and were able to advance on some passed balls. Those were some great opportunities — they don’t happen very often, so you’ve got to take it.”
Dalton Ward had two doubles to lead the Wildcats (7-7), last year’s 2A runnerup, while Will Herndon had a hit and two RBIs and Lucas Compton added a hit and an RBI. But Westchester was limited in its opportunities during the middle innings before scoring three runs in the sixth to pull within 5-3.
“It was an up-and-down roller coaster most of the game,” Wildcats coach Mickey Williard said. “Coming off spring break, we didn’t come out with a lot of energy to begin with. We had a big opportunity in the first inning and didn’t get the big hit, and that took the wind out of our sails for a few innings.
“We hit a couple balls hard, but we didn’t string together the at-bats early on. Then (in the sixth) we fi nally got a leadoff hitter on and we started stringing together things. Things started happening and they made a mistake to keep the inning alive. The energy came back, but you want to keep that regardless. We just weren’t up to our standards tonight.”
Luke Davis earned the win on the mound, scattering five hits and one walk, before giving way to Cozart for the final two innings. Jeremiah Foster (2-1), an Elon recruit, took the loss as he struggled through four hard-fought innings. He allowed fi ve hits and six walks before Ward and Alec Hunter pitched in relief.
Wesleyan next plays Thursday at home against the Carolina Royals, while Westchester returns to TAC 1A/2A play Friday at Calvary Day.
BY MICHAEL LINDSAY
ENTERPRISE SPORTS WRITER
HIGH POINT — Wesleyan Christian found ways to get it done against Westchester Country Day.
The Trojans scratched across five runs through the first five innings, while pitcher Luke Davis held the Wildcats in check, and pulled away in the sixth to win 10-3 in a nonconference meeting of area NCISAA baseball powers Tuesday at the High Point Athletic Complex’s Ed Price Field.
“We just didn’t play well tonight,” Wesleyan coach Scott Davis said. “We were sluggish and a little complacent. We left too many runners on. But, it’s like I told the kids, it’s a ‘W.’ We need games that can make us understand what we need to be doing. So, this was one of those games ....
“We have three outstanding pitchers and then we’ve got two guys who can pitch in middle and late innings. We’ve hit the ball really well all year. So, we’ve got a good team. And sometimes you’re not at your best. Tonight we won not at our best — and so that’s a good thing.”
Nick Caldwell went 3 for 4 with a double and two RBIs to lead the Trojans (12-0), the reigning 3A state champions. Caleb Cozart also went 2 for 3 with an RBI, while Jacob Kohns had a hit and an RBI. Patrick Bailey and Brett Kerry each had a double, and Kody Proctor added an RBI groundout.
Wesleyan scored twice in the first inning,keyed by a pair of singles to the outfield and a pair of singlesin the infield, and once in each of the second, third and fifth innings to lead 5-0.
Those runs came on an error, a wild pitch and a groundout as neither team was particularly at its sharpest. But the Trojans, behind five solid innings by Louisburg recruit Luke Davis (4-0), took advantage of a handful of mistakes to build their leadand then pulled away with five runs on four hits in the sixth.
“We played good,” Caldwell said. “I think allaround we’re coming together much better. We’re starting to play as a team. ... We took a lot of pitches and were able to advance on some passed balls. Those were some great opportunities — they don’t happen very often, so you’ve got to take it.”
Dalton Ward had two doubles to lead the Wildcats (7-7), last year’s 2A runnerup, while Will Herndon had a hit and two RBIs and Lucas Compton added a hit and an RBI. But Westchester was limited in its opportunities during the middle innings before scoring three runs in the sixth to pull within 5-3.
“It was an up-and-down roller coaster most of the game,” Wildcats coach Mickey Williard said. “Coming off spring break, we didn’t come out with a lot of energy to begin with. We had a big opportunity in the first inning and didn’t get the big hit, and that took the wind out of our sails for a few innings.
“We hit a couple balls hard, but we didn’t string together the at-bats early on. Then (in the sixth) we fi nally got a leadoff hitter on and we started stringing together things. Things started happening and they made a mistake to keep the inning alive. The energy came back, but you want to keep that regardless. We just weren’t up to our standards tonight.”
Luke Davis earned the win on the mound, scattering five hits and one walk, before giving way to Cozart for the final two innings. Jeremiah Foster (2-1), an Elon recruit, took the loss as he struggled through four hard-fought innings. He allowed fi ve hits and six walks before Ward and Alec Hunter pitched in relief.
Wesleyan next plays Thursday at home against the Carolina Royals, while Westchester returns to TAC 1A/2A play Friday at Calvary Day.
