By Bret Strelow
bstrelow@salisburypost.com
WILKESBORO ó Maverick Miles took a trip to Disney World during the 11-day break, and many of his South Rowan teammates went to the beach.
Only assistant coach Brian Goodnight found it difficult to relax.
South’s American Legion squad returned to action Friday night and scored six runs apiece in the first and seventh innings of a 13-1 road victory against Wilkes County.
South (10-7, 6-4) hadn’t played since June 8, when head coach David Wright was ejected from a lopsided loss to Mocksville. He served his one-game suspension as Goodnight directed the team Friday.
“I was anxious to get started knowing we were coming back and David was going to be missing,” Goodnight said. “I’m pleased with the job we did after that break. I was a little worried we might be a little rusty, but we looked great tonight.”
South starter Weston Church allowed three hits and struck out seven batters in six innings. The only run crossed following a wild pitch in the third inning.
Church took the mound for the first time holding a 6-0 lead. The opening pitch of the game hit Miles, and Ivan Corriher delivered a single. Randy Shepherd hit a three-run home run with one out.
Walker Snow scored on a double from Scott Ashby, who came home on an error. Miles batted again and drove in Zach Wright with a single.
“Coach just told us to forget about baseball for about two weeks and, when we come back, be ready to play,” Miles said. “It felt kind of weird coming out to the field, but we were ready.”
Miles also had RBI singles in the third and seventh innings. Snow opened the seventh with a bunt single, and he stole second base. South batted around again with the help of two errors, including catcher’s interference, and a wild pitch on a strikeout.
Miles’ last hit gave South a 10-1 lead, and Corriher produced a sacrifice fly. Church capped the scoring with a two-run double.
“We jumped out hot hitting the ball, but I think we got too patient,” Church said. “We were taking a lot more pitches, and we got more aggressive in the later innings. It worked out for us just like in the first inning.”Church, who picked up his second win against Wilkes, overcame a rough start.
He allowed one hit, issued two walks, plunked one batter and committed a balk in the first inning, but Wilkes (2-13, 2-8) left the bases loaded without scoring.
Church fanned seven of 14 batters during one stretch, and he struck out the side on 11 pitches in the fourth inning.
“I had some control issues and my arm was a little tight in that first inning,” Church said. “I got loosened up and settled down.”