Mt. Tabor
dumps Pioneers
From staff reports

WINSTON-SALEM — Pete Hardee knew there might be days like this.

With South Caldwell looming on the horizon, Watauga had to dig deep into its pitching staff to face Mount Tabor, a team that does not have to face the defending state 4-A champions later this week.

Mount Tabor was able to get an early lead and hold it in a 10-1 win Monday over Watauga. The Pioneers, who also lost 6-3 to No. 2-ranked Ardrey Kell last Saturday, get another chance at Mount Tabor at Watauga’s home field Wednesday night.

Hardee said just getting on the field for practice has been difficult because of the recent bad weather. The Pio-neers open-ed the season with a 17-1 victory over West Wilkes, but not having practice time has been a problem.

“The lack of practice time has kills us,” Hardee said. “But there’s nothing we can do about it. Hopefully we’ll get this game in Wednesday and then get a practice under our belt on Thursday so we can be ready for Friday.”

The Pioneers settled for three hits Monday. They scored their lone run in the second inning when Austin Storie, who doubled, scored on an Adam Church single.

Storie started on the mound for the Pioneers, going three innings. Mount Tabor scored seven runs, six of them earned, on seven hits. Storie struck out two and did not walk a batter.

He was relieved by Will Dicus, who gave up two hits, including a two-run home run. Mitch Minford finished the inning by not allowing a run on one hit.

Tyler Moore and Jon Sharp, who are likely to pitch against South Caldwell, each pitched an inning in relief.

Moore set Mount Tabor down in order and Sharp gave up an unearned run on one hit.

Moore pitched 5 1/3 against Ardrey Kell, allowing six earned runs. Ardrey Kell also had a home run in the fifth inning.

Sharp finished the game, giving up no runs on one walk and no hits in 1 1/3 innings.

Church belted a solo home run in the second inning to get the Pioneers on the scoreboard. In the fourth inning, Trey Dunnigan drove in Baine Martin with a double, and scored on an infield hit by Trey Lowder after advancing to third on a fielder’s choice by Storie.

“I thought we had a good game against Ardrey Kell,” Hardee said. “We did a good job defensively.”