Expectations were high on a chilly Friday night at home in front of a packed stadium. The Mustangs would have made a trip to the school’s first state championship with a win.
The Mustangs’ last loss came just over a month ago. Winning nine games in a row since that loss, they couldn’t get the bats going to end the series.
“We didn’t hit it; we didn’t give ourselves opportunities. You got to execute,” said North Moore High School baseball coach Kennedy.
The Mustangs and Voyager started the game with a defensive battle. Going into the fifth inning tied at zero, Voyager struck first after several walks from pitcher Ethan Dunlap. With bases loaded, the Mustangs found a way to keep the damage to one run, but Voyager would score again in the sixth.
Mustangs got Ty Allred and Austin Patterson on base after a walk and error by Voyager’s shortstop. Voyager’s pitcher tried to pick off Patterson, but a wild throw allowed Allred to score Mustangs’ only run of the night.
The Mustangs went to work in the top of the seventh with a score of 2-1. Voyager made several key hits and laid down two bunts to keep runners moving. They brought in six runs in the top of the seventh.
The Mustangs couldn’t hang on going three up, three down to end the game at 8-1. The Mustangs will get one more shot at history.
“We got full confidence we will bounce back tomorrow,” said Kennedy.
Game three is scheduled for Saturday at 7 p.m. at Durham Athletic Park. With rain moving in, the game is expected to be rescheduled. Uwharrie Charter is waiting to play the winner in the NCHSAA 1A state championship next weekend.
~Article and photo by Sandhills Sentinel Reporter Curtis Self.
