Gastonia, N.C. – With two wins on Sunday North Greenville has battled all the way back to force a winner take all for the Conference Carolinas Championship, beating Belmont Abbey 11 – 3 followed by a 9 – 4 win over Yount Harris to force the Monday match-up.
The trailblazers kicked off Sunday's action eliminating Belmont Abbey to force the first rematch with Young Harris. NGU pulled ahead in the middle frames while riding another impressive pitching performance from the starters and bullpen arms. NGU scored nine of its 11 – runs in innings three through five including a five run fourth.
Josh Foulks delivered the big hit in the fourth with a three – run blast which extended NGU's lead to 9 – 1.
The Trailblazers got a lone run in the fifth inning on a
Darrien Whitaker RBI single and another in the seventh on an RBI bases loaded walk by
Thomas Powell. Meanwhile NGU pitching was busy holding the Crusaders to just three total runs on 10 – hits. The hurlers stranded 11 – runners on the day.
Ben Leikam started the day for NGU and tossed three innings allowing just four hits and a run.
Micah Takac went the rest of the way for the Trailblazers pitching six innings allowing just two runs and earning the win.
Josh Foulks finished 2 – 4 with three RBI and a run scored.
Landon Peavy was 2 – 3 with two runs scored.
The win set up a rematch with Young Harris which handed NGU a loss on day two of the tournament. The Trailblazers struggled during the first match – up but righted the ship in game two. NGU set the table with a three run third inning and once again rode the momentum of a gem from the pitching staff.
Thomas Powell got the party started with a two run blast in the frame while a bases loaded walk plated a third run.
Two runs in the sixth inning on a Powell RBI single and a
CJ Dean Sac Fly as well as a three run seventh including a
Mason Swinney RBI single that plated two would answer the three runs scored by the Mount Lions in the fourth and sixth innings. Young Harris would get another run in the eighth but NGU once again had an answer with
Cooper Noble sac fly to make it 9 – 4.
Caleb Cox and Caden Roach combined to throw four innings each on Sunday with Cox earning the win. Cox allowed just one run on just three hits.
Josh Foulks once again delivered offensively going 3 – 5 with two runs.
Thomas Powell was 2 – 6 with a game high three RBI.
Mason Swinney finished 2 – 3 with two RBI and a run.
Next Up
The tournament final with Young Harris will be played tomorrow at 1 PM.
