Staff report
South Rowan’s American Legion team ran into an unexpected buzz saw in the Brushy Mountains on Thursday.
South was mauled 12-2 by the Wilkes County Patriots at Wilkes Central High in a game shortened to seven innings by the 10-run rule. The game ended early on a walkoff homer by Scott Gambill.
South, which ended Wilkes’ season in the second round of the playoffs in 2010, already trailed 8-0 when it had its one shot at putting together a big inning in the fifth. Parker Hubbard, Dylan Goodman, the bottom of the lineup, and leadoff man Gunnar Hogan singled to load the bases.
South got a run when Kyle Bridges chopped a ball in the infield, and the catcher dropped the throw home.
South got one more run in the fifth when Maverick Miles bounced into a fielder’s choice.
That was it as far as offense, and South (3-8, 2-5) experienced a dismal game defensively behind starting pitcher Weston Smith, committing seven errors.
Smith (0-2) lasted five innings. Patrick Hampton finished the game on the mound.
Wilkes Central southpaw Aaron Sparks was in control on the mound for the Patriots from the outset and worked into the sixth.
South tries to rebound tonight when it travels to Rich Park to face a Mocksville team that resides in first place in the Southern Division of Area III.
South coach Michael Lowman will hand the ball to experienced lefty Dylan Walker, who pitched six strong innings against the Mooresville Moors in his last start.
South owns a four-game winning streak against Mocksville. South won 1-0, 15-4 and 13-1 in last year’s three meetings.