Staff report
Brian Ritchie got to coach one of those special games on Sunday that a little-league coach dreams of.
His East Rowan 11-year-old All-Stars played what Ritchie called, “a flawless game” in an 8-2 win against Davie in the second round of the district playoffs.
It followed Saturday’s come-from-behind 12-5 win against Rowan.
Heath Mitchem belted a home run and Brandon Herring added a double in the win over Davie. The defense was also superb behind winning pitcher Brandon Newton.
“We made some plays that would make your jaw drop,” Ritchie said.
Against Rowan in the first round, East trailed 5-4 going into the bottom of the fifth. Grayson Whicker slid across with the tying run, then Aaron Ritchie put East up for good with a two-run single. Addison Fry added an RBI single. East batted around, scoring eight runs and making a winner out of Jacob O’Neal.
East Rowan plays Friday in High Point against Southwest Forsyth.
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Rowan’s 8-year-old All-Stars advanced through the first two rounds. It is coached by Bobby Rusher, Rob Hales and Jeff Bernhardt.
Steve Yang’s 9-10-year-old team beat Southwest Forsyth 12-11.
Rowan’s 12-year-old team defeated Kernersville on Saturday 12-5 but fell to East Surry 18-8 on Sunday.
No other scores were reported.