After losing its tournament opener and falling into the loser’s bracket Lenoir Community College has to win six games in four days to advance to the junior college world series.
One down, five to go.
Jones Senior product Kyle Smith had three hits and Greene Central alum Trent Murray broke a tight game open with a three-run homer late to propel the Lancers to a 9-5 win over Rockingham C.C. on Saturday in an elimination game of the NJCAA Division II Region X baseball tournament at Big Rock Stadium’s Puck O’Neal Field in Morehead City.
Murray’s home run in the eighth inning gave LCC (31-19) a 9-5 lead that was held up by Travis Long, who came on in the ninth for the save.
The Lancers had 14 hits after struggling to hit the baseball in previous weeks.
“We finally hit the baseball and there were good results. Now let’s see if we can keep it up,” LCC coach Stony Wine said.
Everyone that had an at-bat had a hit for the sixth-seeded Lancers, who will face Saturday’s loser between No. 5 Patrick Henry C.C. and top-seeded Catawba Valley C.C. today at 10 a.m. in another elimination game. The winner will play again today at 7 p.m. and the loser’s season is over.
Stephen Butt had a hit, Sam Remick had two hits, Murray had two hits, Tyler Tant had a hit, Robbie Hiser had a hit, Ryan Blake had a hit, Corey Nygard had a hit and Chastin Radford had two hits for LCC.
Randy Mogart earned the win.
The Lancers, who won for just the fourth time in their last 14 games, have to win two games today, two games on Monday and the if-necessary game on Tuesday to advance to the NJCAA Division II Junior College World Series.
“The next game you lose will be the last game of the year. That’s kind of corny and simple, but that’s the truth,” Wine said. “If we can continue to play this level of baseball, we’ve got a chance.”
RAMSEUR FAITH CHRISTIAN 10, BETHEL CHRISTIAN 5: At Bethel, the Trojans finished fourth in the NCCSA state playoffs after falling to Faith Christian of Ramseur in the consolation game.
Tyler Antwine went 2-for-2 and scored two runs, Alex Hardison went 1-for-3 with an RBI and Daniel Daughety was 1-for-2 with an RBI. Antwine gave up four earned runs on eight hits and four walks in 5 1/3 innings in the loss. Cole Williams finished the game for Bethel and gave up four earned runs on three hits.
The Trojans led 5-2 until Faith scored four runs in the top of the fifth.
For coach Kenny Sutton, it was a good year for a young Bethel team.
“We did exceptionally well I thought, for playing against the larger schools. We set out some goals — to win the district — which we did. We did not play our best baseball this weekend. We weren’t terrible. We’ve got a lot of young guys, some eighth graders and stuff, and that shows up sometimes,” he said.
“Overall, I was very pleased. The year didn’t end in a state championship, but when you put yourself in a position to win one, that’s always a good thing.”
TRACK AND FIELD
NL’S FOSTER FINISHES 15TH IN HIGH JUMP: Ta’Breia Foster of North Lenoir finished 15th in the high jump at Saturday’s NCHSAA 3A track and field championships at N.C. A&T.
Foster had a jump of 4-feet, 8-inches.
SOFTBALL
CARY ACADEMY-PARROTT POSTPONED: Saturday’s NCISAA state 3A softball playoff game between Cary Academy and host Parrott Academy was rained out. It will be played at 5 p.m. on Monday at Parrott.
The winner will travel to Charlotte Hickory Grove Christian School for a second round game on Tuesday. The quarterfinals, semifinals and finals will be held at Gaston Christian School Friday and Saturday.