Wayne Opens 2007 Season with Win

Make note of this because you may not see it again. Wayne County American Legion coach Brad Reaves had a pitcher complete a nine-inning game.

But when you have someone cruising along the way TJ Hinson was, why mess with a good thing?

Hinson became only the second Post 11 pitcher since 2003 to go the distance in a regulation game as Wayne opened the 2007 season with a 3-1 win over Garner Tuesday night at Mount Olive College. Wayne will play at home tonight against Tarboro. In other Area One East action, Pitt County 39 defeated Wilson 15-4 in seven innings in a game called due to the ten-run rule.

Wayne was shorthanded with the absence of eight Charles B. Aycock players due to the Golden Falcons' playing for the state 3-A title this weekend. So Hinson's performance helped take the pressure off the offense.

The right-hander allowed five hits, walked one and struck out six in a game that lasted less than two hours.

"That was a good ballgame," said Reaves, "and whoever made the mistake was going to lose.

That turning point came in the eighth with the score tied at one. Walker Gourley, who picked up six assists at shortstop, got things going with single up the middle. Jackson Massey bunted him to third. John Wooten got a free pass, but Wilson reliever Taylor Ryan hit Tyler Ham to load the bases.

Nolan Lancaster hit the first pitch to center for a sacrifice fly, and Wooten came home while Ham was caught in a rundown between first and second.

Hinson retired the first two batter in the ninth but then ran into a bit of trouble. Jeffrey Hall singled to left, and Zack Bingham reached on a catcher's interference. Hinson rebounded to strike out the next batter to end the game.

Wilson took the lead in the sixth on a leadoff single by Brian Sears and a two-triple by Corey Carver. Wayne tied it in the home half. Gourley singled with two out and continued to third on a fieldin error. Massey singled through the right side of the infield to bring in Gourley.

Reaves was especially pleased with his defense. "If you make the routine playes, you'll win. That's what we did tonight."

"We really competed tonight. The guys came out hungry. Some of them hadn't competed in a couple of weeks."

Garner 000 001 000 - 1 5 3
Wayne 000 001 02X - 3 7 1

E-Debria, Howell, Cole, Ham. DP-Garner 2. LOB-Garner 5, Wayne 7.
3B-Carver. SB-Massey 2. CS-Overman, Casey, Clarke. S-Adams, Massey. SF-Lancaster.

Leading Hitters: Garner-Carver 2-4(3B, RBI), Clarke 1-3, Sears 1-3, Hall 1-3. Wayne-Gourley 2-4, Massey 1-2, Wooten 1-3, Lancaster 1-3, Gurley 1-3, Overman 1-3.

Tew 4 2 0 0 1 2
Howell 3 4 1 0 2 4
Ryan (L) 1 1 2 2 1 1
Hinson (W)9 5 1 1 1 6