Watauga American

falls hard to Wilkes
By Steve Behr
 
Watauga American saw its season end with an 11-1 loss to Wilkes County Saturday at Optimist Park in the loser’s bracket of the 11-12 year old District 7 All-Star Tournament.

Wilkes jumped out to a 3-0 first-inning lead and added four runs in second. Wilkes scored four more runs in the third to win the game by the 10-run mercy rule.

Watauga scored its only run in the third inning when Levi Wilcox drilled a triple, which scored Brandon Warren from first base. Warren reached base on an error.

Watauga had to settle for three hits. Wilcox hit a single in the first inning, which was followed by a single by Justin Greer.

“They have a good hitting team and their pitcher was tough,” Watauga coach Angelo Nigro said. “We’ve got a young team and I think they kept their heads up. They played tough and just ended up on the wrong end of the scoreboard.”

Wilkes’ leadoff hitter, T.J. Gordon, had a big day, going 3-for-3 from the plate. He had a three-run home run in the third inning, an RBI double in the second and led off the game with a single. Gordon also scored three runs.

Devan Shell also had a big game, going 2-for-3 with a two-run triple in the first inning and an RBI double in the second. He also scored two runs.

Wilkes finished with nine hits and was helped by four Watauga errors. Wilkes top three batters in its batting order, Gordon, Austin Owens and Shell, combined for six hits and scored a combined eight runs.

Watauga softball 15, Avery 0
NEWLAND — Amie Sigmann went 2-for-3 and scored three runs in leading Watauga past Avery in the 11-12 year old District 7 softball tournament. The game was stopped after four innings because of the 10-run mercy rule.

Rachel Cox and Jessica Davis each went 2-for-2. Cox, Hope LaPoint, Megan Jackson, Rachel Hawkins and Paige Miller each scored two runs for Watauga. Avery pitchers also walked 11 Watauga batters.

“We continue to play through the loser’s bracket but we’ve had more opportunities to play by doing so,” Watauga coach Jay Jackson said. “ As a result, we've continued to develop as a team and gain some momentum. Today was a slow game and we had to wait for our hits and capitalize on the walks.”

LaPoint struck out six Avery batters in the two innings she pitched. Miller added three strikeouts in the two innings she spent on the mound.

Watauga plays at Ashe County on Monday at 5 p.m.

Watauga 9-10 year olds softball
Watauga's 9-10 year old all-star team advanced in its District 7 tournament after gaining a forfeit over Morganton. Watauga plays Tuesday against an opponent to be determined.