Daily Roundup: March 14, 2023

***The rankings by each area team come from the Coastal Preps Power Rankings***

BASEBALL

No. 7 Laney 3, No. 5 Ashley 1

***Click here to view a gallery of 35 photos from the action***

Ayden Rogers led off the top of the seventh inning with a single to center field and scored the game-winning run on an error to give the Buccaneers a win in the Mideastern Conference opener for both teams.

It was a special victory for Laney (2-0, 1-0) first-year coach Justin Bradley, who was a standout pitcher on the Ashley team that reached the 2007 4A State Championship series. 

“I love all those guys over there and I have a lot of respect for them,” Bradley said. “We both played well and deserved to win tonight, but that’s how baseball goes sometimes.”

Three pitchers – Grant Pyrtle, Luka Rumora and Ryan Sproull – combined for 13 strikeouts. 

Rumora entered in the third inning and allowed two hits and recorded seven strikeouts in 3 1/3 innings.

In the biggest moment of the game, Bradley went to his bullpen again and called on Ryan Sproull. The senior righty inherited a bases loaded jam with two outs in the bottom of the sixth inning and quickly got out of it with a three-pitch strikeout. 

Sproull struck out the side in the seventh inning to earn the victory.

Rogers doubled in the second inning and scored the Buccaneers’ first run on a two-out single to right field from TJ Ziermann.

Ashley (4-3, 0-1) tied the game in the third when Brent Avery doubled home Tanner Berry.

The score remained the same until the top of the seventh inning. After Rogers singled, he advanced two bases on a pair of wild pitches. Pinch hitter Noah Parker hit a ground ball to second base, but it went through the legs of Nate Carmack and into right field to allow Rogers to score.

Jason Sproull added an RBI single later in the frame.

“I was very upset with how we hit situational-wise in our first game against Dixon, so we’ve been working on that,” Bradley said. “We are going to run into great arms in this conference, so we’ve got understand how to move runners over and hit behind runners.”

Senior southpaw Cam Jernigan pitched well for the Screaming Eagles, but didn’t factor into the decision. He had eight strikeouts in six innings. 

Laney plays at Whiteville at 6 p.m. Wednesday. Ashley hosts South Central on Thursday at 5 p.m.

No. 1 New Hanover 6, No. 4 North Brunswick 1

UNCW signee Bromley Thornton pitched a complete game with 12 strikeouts and only one walk in the victory that kept the Wildcats unbeaten.

New Hanover (5-0, 1-0 Mideastern) scored three runs with two outs in the bottom of the third inning to grab the lead for good. The frame featured three walks and a pair of errors.

Thornton and Jack Cuba each finished 2-for-4 at the plate. Sean Smith crossed the plate twice.

North Brunswick (6-1, 0-1) got a pair of hits from Cody Callahan. He suffered the loss despite striking out nine batters and allowing only two earned runs in 4 2/3 innings.

The Wildcats travel to South Brunswick on Friday at 6:30 p.m. The Scorpions welcome Laney at 6:30 p.m. Friday.

No. 2 South Brunswick 8, No. 6 Topsail 6

Luke Dilgard had an excellent performance at the plate by going 3-for-4 with three RBI and one run scored, and the Cougars held off a late rally.

South Brunswick (4-0, 1-0) led 3-0 after four innings. A one-out single from Dilgard in the sixth inning allowed Patrick Boldt and Jordan Daniels to cross the plate.

The lead grew to 8-0 after three more runs scored in the seventh inning. Banks Hartman had an RBI single and Boldt followed with a run-scoring double.

Topsail (1-4, 0-1) sent 10 batters to the plate in a six-run bottom of the seventh inning, but a foul out ended the game.

Evan Coartney allowed one earned run and struck out three batters in 6 innings to earn the victory.

The Pirates were led offensively by Grady Swinson, who was 3-for-4 with one run scored.

South Brunswick hosts Dixon at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday. Topsail plays at Hoggard on Friday at 6:30 p.m.

No. 3 Hoggard 8, No. 8 West Brunswick 2

The Vikings finished with nine hits and scored in every inning except the second to roll at home.

Logan Ponnett and Luke Vargo both went 2-for-3. Ponnett scored twice, while Vargo drove in a pair of runs.

Coleton Norris got the start and allowed one earned run on two hits with two strikeouts in 4 1/3 innings.

Damian Bounds and Cam Mathews each crossed the plate twice for Hoggard (5-0, 1-0 Mideastern), which hosts Topsail at 6:30 p.m. Friday.

West Brunswick (4-2, 0-1) welcomes Ashley at 6:30 p.m. Friday.

No. 12 Wilmington Christian Academy 11, Village Christian Academy 2

Trey Pierce finished 3-for-4 with three RBI and one run scored to help the Patriots secure their first victory of the season.

WCA (1-6) grabbed the lead for good with four runs in the bottom of the second inning. The big hit was a bases-clearing triple from UNCW signee Isaiah Hunter. He also walked twice and scored two runs.

Calloway Upchurch pitched five innings and allowed two runs on five hits to earn the victory. Eli Perez got the final six outs.

The Patriots host Faith Christian and Calvary Day School on Saturday. Game 1 begins at 10:30 p.m.

Arendell Parrott Academy 11, No. 10 Coastal Christian 4

The Centurions led 4-1 after four innings, but the visitors scored 10 unanswered runs to claim the win.

Travis Jackson, Jay Forrester, Andrew Harrison and Jake Young scored Coastal Christian’s (3-2) runs.

The Centurions take on Calvary Day School on Thursday at 3:30 p.m.

Hobbton 7, No. 11 Pender 2

Rylie Mintz had two of the Patriots’ three hits in the home defeat.

Pender (2-2) scored both runs in the third inning to cut the deficit to 6-2. Tyler Conger and Desmond Cromartie crossed the plate.

Next up is a game at Fairmont on Wednesday night at 7.

SOFTBALL

No. 3 South Brunswick 11, No. 1 Topsail 0 (6 innings)

The Cougars picked up their biggest victory in more than a decade thanks in large part to a dominant performance in the circle from Kina Davis.

Davis allowed only two hits and struck out nine batters in the complete game. She also had two of South Brunswick’s (4-1, 1-0 Mideastern) 13 hits.

Senior catcher Ariana Flores-Acosta went 3-for-3 with a walk, two doubles and two RBI. She is now hitting .500 with six doubles on the season. 

The Cougars also got three hits and four RBI from Addison Woodruff. She cleared the bases with a two-out double in the second inning to increase the lead to 5-0.

Topsail (2-1, 0-1) got a leadoff triple from Zoey Vincent in the bottom of the first inning, but she was thrown out at home by Woodruff in right field. 

South Brunswick travels to South Columbus on Thursday night at 6. The Pirates play at Hoggard on Friday at 6 p.m.

No. 4 Hoggard 19, No. 7 West Brunswick 0 (5 innings)

Macey Ciamillo nearly hit for the cycle and also threw a one-hitter with eight strikeouts in the mercy-rule victory.

Ciamillo finished 4-for-4 with two doubles, a triple, a home run, six RBI and four runs scored.

Her solo home run in the third inning increased the lead to 12-0. 

Hoggard (3-2, 1-0 Mideastern) finished with 17 hits from eight players. Gracie Mabrey was 3-for-5 with a double, two RBI and two runs scored, while Sydney Ciamillo went 3-for-4 with a double.

Alyssa Norris and Maddie Scanlan each had a pair of hits. Norris scored three times and Scanlan crossed the plate twice. 

Leadoff batter Bella Roberts had a single, three walks, three RBI and two runs scored. 

The Vikings host Topsail at 6 p.m. Friday. West Brunswick (2-5, 0-1) welcomes Ashley on Friday at 6 p.m.

No. 2 Laney 16, No. 5 Ashley 2 (5 innings)

The Buccaneers pounded out 16 hits and scored at least two runs in every inning to cruise on the road.

Layla Carr was 3-for-4 with two stolen bases, two RBI and three runs scored. Makenzi Curry and Bailey Bettencourt each collected three hits and drove in three runs. 

Ali Bunch earned the victory by striking out four batters. Both runs she allowed were unearned. Bunch also went 2-for-3 at the plate with four RBI and three runs scored.

Laney (2-1, 1-0 Mideastern) got a solo home run from Audrey Bergum in the fourth inning.

Freshman catcher Vayda LeQuire led Ashley (2-4, 0-1) offensively by going 3-for-3 with a double. Sinaiya Gonzalez and Hannah Douglas each had a pair of hits.

The Buccaneers host Cape Fear on Wednesday at 6 p.m. The Screaming Eagles welcome East Columbus at 6 p.m. Wednesday.

Hobbton 8, No. 8 Pender 7

The Patriots nearly rallied from an 8-3 deficit, but the game ended with the tying run stranded at second base.

Linde Cline and Kaylee Woodcock each had three hits to lead the way for Pender (2-2). Cline hit two solo home runs, while Woodcock had a pair of doubles.

Only three of the runs Lillie Hansen allowed were earned. She also recorded 10 strikeouts. 

Next up is a game at Fairmont on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.

GIRLS SOCCER

No. 7 Cape Fear Academy 4, Greenfield School 3 (OT)

Georgia McGrath scored off an assist from Claire Furmidge three minutes into overtime to give the Hurricanes their first victory of the season.

Furmidge opened the scoring in the second minute off an assist from Lucy Lauber.

CFA (1-1) increased its lead to 3-1 on back-to-back goals from Izzy Gheraldi in the 20th and 21st minutes. Furmidge and McGrath had the assists.

Goalkeeper Naomi Shanewise recorded five saves. 

The Hurricanes play at New Hanover on Wednesday at 4 p.m.

No. 8 Coastal Christian 2, Arendell Parrott Academy 0

Goalkeeper Emily White stopped all seven shots she faced to preserve the shutout.

Both Coastal Christian (2-3) goals were scored by Finley Melvin. The assists went to Morgan Fritz and Ellie Forrester. 

The Centurions play at New Hanover on Thursday at 5 p.m.

No. 1 Ashley 10, Carolina Forest (S.C.) 1

Sophomore standout Karina Peat scored four goals in the first half, and the Screaming Eagles ended the game by mercy-rule less than 14 minutes into the second half.

Savannah Manset scored twice. Ashley (6-0) also got one goal a piece from Kieran Bradley, Kenzie Farr, Kaitlyn Marcinowski and Kiley Peat.

The Screaming Eagles host Hoggard on Tuesday at 6 p.m.

No. 3 Laney 3, Croatan 0

A goal from Kenzie Fletemeyer in the seventh minute proved to be the game winner.

Laney (5-1-1) doubled the lead in the 12th minute on an unassisted goal from Olivia Duleba. 

Fletemeyer assisted on the final goal, which came off the foot of Laney Parker in the 60th minute.

The clean sheet was recorded by goalkeeper Reagan Turner, who made two saves.

The Buccaneers host Jacksonville at 6 p.m. Friday.

Other scores

No. 6 West Brunswick 8, South Columbus 0

No. 11 North Brunswick 2, Whiteville 2

GIRLS LACROSSE

Ashley 15, New Hanover 7

Bailey Swails scored a team-high five goals to give her 100 for her career, and the Screaming Eagles prevailed on the road.

Ashley (2-2, 2-1 Mideastern) also got four goals from Keileigh Donovan as well as two goals and one assist a piece from Ella Bartosik and Leah Bode.

Sydney Moore and Molly Schutte scored once. Sophomore goalkeeper Rylan Harris made six saves. 

The Screaming Eagles host South Brunswick on Friday at 7 p.m. New Hanover (2-1, 1-1) welcomes Northside-Jacksonville at 5 p.m. Thursday.

Laney 13, West Brunswick 3

The undefeated Buccaneers cruised behind hat tricks from juniors Caitlin Cronemiller and Ella Hawks. 

Both girls also had an assist. Avery Hoey and Erin McConnell finished with one goal and two assists a piece. 

Laney (5-0, 3-0 Mideastern), which led 8-2 at halftime, also got two goals from Mia Shade. Julia Campbell, Katie Fox and Haleigh Thompson put home the other goals. 

The Buccaneers play at New Hanover on Friday at 5 p.m. West Brunswick (1-3, 0-3) travels to Topsail at 5 p.m. Friday.

BOYS LACROSSE

Topsail 17, North Brunswick 1

Eight Pirates scored, led by four goals from Connor Hinson, in the win that kept them unbeaten.

Josh Bowen, Alex Davis and Zion Lee each had a hat trick. Hinson and Davis handed out two assists.

Topsail (4-0, 2-0 Mideastern) also got one goal a piece from Ronan McGuire, Colin Ostrosky, Kayden Robles and Barrett Swinson. 

Goalies Nolan Pfaff and Alex Schwery both made two saves. 

The Pirates play at Hoggard on Wednesday at 7 p.m. North Brunswick (1-3, 1-2) hosts Hoggard at 5 p.m. Friday.

Laney 16, West Brunswick 0

The Buccaneers jumped out to a 7-0 lead after the opening quarter and continued to pull away.

Brandon Dillen and Hutch Melind each had three goals and one assist, while Carson Adkins and Cash Nix also had hat tricks.

Noah O’Borne found the back of the net twice. Laney’s (4-1, 2-1 Mideastern) other goals came from Brock Lehocky and Fields Woodard. 

Sophomores Tyler Rutherford and Gates Vaughan combined to win 17 of 20 faceoffs. 

Goalies Colin Willis and Marcus Johnson split time and shared the shutout. 

The Buccaneers visit New Hanover on Friday at 7 p.m. West Brunswick (0-3, 0-3) plays at Topsail on Friday night at 7.

Other scores

Ashley 14, New Hanover 1

BOYS TENNIS

New Hanover 9, Laney 0

The battle of unbeatens was easily won by the Wildcats.

Freshman Bryce Morrison won 6-2, 6-0 at No. 5 singles, while Jack Snyder prevailed by a score of 6-1, 6-2 at No. 2. They later teamed up at No. 2 doubles where they didn’t drop a game.

New Hanover (4-0, 4-0 Mideastern) also got a hard-fought 7-6(5), 7-5 victory at No. 4 from Colin Carter. Sam Bradshaw (6-2, 6-3 at No. 1), Owen Alford (6-1, 6-4 at No. 3) and Cutter Morgan (6-2, 6-2 at No. 6) picked up the other singles points.

Morgan and Reilly Benton won 8-4 at No. 3 doubles, while Bradshaw and Alford completed the sweep with an 8-5 victory at No. 1.

The Wildcats play at Topsail on Thursday at 4 p.m. Laney (5-1, 3-1) travels at South Brunswick on Thursday at 4 p.m.

Other scores

Ashley 5, South Brunswick 3

 

 

 

 

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