Staff report
Rowan County defeated High Point 3-2 in a non-league game Wednesday night.
After getting a boost with the return of East Rowan’s players Sunday, Rowan coach Jim Gantt used seven different pitchers in a designated seven-inning game.
East Rowan’s Cody Laws started on the mound and pitched two innings, and Tanner Brown replaced him for the third. Brown recorded the victory.
Kent Basinger, Parker Gobbel, Matt Hall, Russell Michalec and Trey Holmes also pitched, with Holmes getting the final three outs. Basinger and Holmes also just rejoined the team from East Rowan.
The two teams entered the third inning tied at 1-1, but Rowan (5-3) scored the two decisive runs in the third.
It then held on to win thanks in large part to a pair of defensive plays from shortstop Justin Roland.
After Rowan pulled ahead 3-1, High Point later got within 3-2. High Point threatened to score again before Roland saved what would have been a hit up the middle to record an out.
Roland followed that by throwing out a runner at the plate with runners on first and third and two outs. High Point tried a double steal, catcher Austin Shull threw a one-hopper to second base, and Roland fielded the throw and fired back home to get out of the inning.
Holmes recorded the final out when High Point had a runner at third and a groundball was hit to Michalec at first. Michalec bobbled the ball but recovered to get the ball to Holmes and secure the victory.