Pioneers advance

to third round
By Steve Behr
sports@wataugademocrat.com

KERNERSVILLE — Watauga’s Jake Wallace knew he’d only get one chance to play in the Pioneers’ second-round state 4-A playoff game Tuesday night at East Forsyth.

Wallace, who is nursing a sore hamstring, made the most of his opportunity. Pinch-hitting in the fourth inning, Wallace belted a three-run home run, which broke open a close game with the Eagles. The Pioneers went on to beat East Forsyth 10-4 and advance to the third round, where they’ll play at North Davidson Friday night.

Wallace belted a 2-2 fastball to give Watauga a 5-1 lead. Watauga (18-10) trailed 1-0 at the start of the fourth after the Eagles (20-6) had scored at the bottom of the fourth.

Wallace drove in Austin Story and Kyle Miller, who both singled to get on base. Both had driven in a run, which gave the Pioneers a 2-1 lead off sophomore pitcher Shane Dickerson.

Watauga added to its lead in the fifth inning when Trey Lowder, facing a new pitcher, belted a three-run home run. That gave Watauga an 8-1 lead, which proved to be too much for East Forsyth to overcome.

The Pioneers added two runs in the sixth on a RBI double by Ethan Moyer and a sacrifice fly by Cal Hardee.

The pitching tandem of Tyler Moore and Jon Sharpe made sure the lead would hold. Moore went into the sixth inning, striking out eight and scattering six hits, before he gave way to Sharpe.

East Forsyth, which hits better against pitchers who throw fastballs instead of curveballs, struggled early against Moore, who struck out five batters in the first two innings. The Eagles, who start four sophomores and a freshman, finally got to Moore in the sixth inning when Christian Bailey belted a two-run single.

The throw back into the infield went over the Watauga cut-off man, and Bailey went to second. Watauga catcher Adam Church overthrew the bag, which allowed a third run, Robbie Wodarcyzk, to score, trimming the Pioneers’ lead to 10-4.

From there, Sharpe took over on the mound and did not allow a run.

Offensively, Church and Lowder each had two of Watauga’s 10 hits. Kyle Miller also had two hits for the Pioneers.

Garrett Martin had three hits for the Eagles, while Evan Orenstein had two.

Watauga 10, East Forsyth 4
Watauga 000 532 0 — 10 10 1
East Forsyth 001 003 0 — 4 9 2
Moore, Sharpe (6) and Church. Dickerson, Bolens (4), Orenstein (6) and Swab. W—Moore (7-4), L—Dickerson (3-2). LOB—Watauga 4, East Forsyth 10. 2B—Watauga, Moyer. HR—Watauga, Lowder, Wallace. SH—Watauga, Shelton, Bailey. SF—Watauga, Hardee; East Forsyth, Dunlap. SB—East Forsyth, Dunlap, Wodarczyk. CS—Watauga, Story. HBP—Dunlap (by Moore).