By Ryan Bisesi
rbisesi@salisburypost.com
LANDIS — South Rowan started a stretch of three games in four days on the right foot. Which was good with the amount of walking it did.
Tuesday’s 17-2 win against Statesville in five innings brought the Raiders (6-6, 3-3) to the .500 mark overall.
South put six runs on the board before collecting a hit as it drew 13 walks and was hit by a pitch three times. The Raiders took the lead for keeps on a Eric Tyler RBI groundout in the first inning.
“We took some disciplined at bats early,” South coach Thad Chrismon said. “You get a guy on and move him around. It’s just playing fundamental baseball.”
Dillon Parker, Bubba McLaughlin, Jordan Kennerly, Tyler Fuller and Eric Tyler all coaxed walks off Statesville pitcher Randy Rankins to lead a six-run second inning.
“It’s sad to look up and you’re down 9-0 and they’ve got 1, 2 hits,” Statesville coach Kenny Morrison said. “It’s the inconsistency with the pitching staff.”
South had a nine-run third.
Fuller and Tyler drove in three runs apiece. McLaughlin had two extra base hits and drove in three runs on a double and a triple.
“I was happy with [McLaughlin’s] swing,” Chrismon said. “We talked about letting the ball get deeper and taking two-strike swings to the opposite field.”
Pitcher and Wingate signee Matt Miller moved to 3-2 with the win. Miller, on a pitch count with two games left in the week, threw three innings and struck out four, walked one and allowed no hits. Johnny Lefebvre came on in relief for the final two frames. It was a big win for the Raiders, who fell 6-0 to Charlotte Christian Friday.
Statesville (0-10, 0-5) couldn’t manage a hit off the South duo, although it did push across two in the fourth.
“Matt needed some work today,” Chrismon said. “He wasn’t going over 40 pitches so we could have him available as much as possible. These next two conference games are big.”
A scary moment occurred in the fourth when Statesville pitcher Jose Martinez was hit in the face by a Aaron Bare line drive. Martinez stayed down for a couple minutes before getting up and resuming pitching.
South hosts North Rowan today before taking on West Iredell Friday.