Whiteville sweeps Randleman to claim 2-A baseball series

Click to view image

ZEBULON -- Nathan Hood's run-scoring double broke a 1-1 tie in the fifth inning and helped propel Whiteville to a 3-1 victory over Randleman on Saturday for a sweep of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association state 2-A baseball championship series at Five County Stadium.

The Wolfpack won a pair of close games in the best of three series. In Friday night's opening game, Hyland Tyler went four for four and Jacob Long drove in all three runs for Whiteville as the Wolfpack edged Randleman 3-2.

Hood, who was named the Most Valuable Player in the series, gave the Wolfpack a 2-1 lead with his key hit, and the Pack added an insurance run in the seventh on a hit batsman, fielder's choice, stolen base and sacrifice fly. He also went the distance on the mound, striking out 12 and walking three while scattering six hits.

Hunter Smith, who had two hits and a pair of walks for Whiteville, drove home the game's first run with a single in the fourth, but Randleman tied it when Zach Bach drew a bases loaded walk in the following inning.

Will Albertson led Randleman with three hits, with a single in the third, double in the fifth and triple in the seventh, but the Tigers were unable to drive him home in the final frame.

Cody Trogdon was the losing pitcher.

Randleman, the defending state 2-A champions, finished 29-6 overall while Whiteville improved to 26-5 and ended the season with a 16-game winning streak. Whiteville was making its first appearance in the NCHSAA baseball finals since 1998 but has played for the title seven times previously, including in 1985 when these same two teams squared off for the title that was won by the Wolfpack in two straight.

NORTH CAROLINA HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION

STATE BASEBALL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

 FIVE COUNTY STADIUM, ZEBULON

Class 2-A: Game Two

Randleman                        0  0  0      0  1  0      0 --  1   6   2

Whiteville                          0  0  0      1  1  1       x--   3   5   1

WP--Nathan Hood.     LP--Cody Trogdon (6-1).