By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C — Masterful pitching by Watauga sophomore Everett Gryder, error-free defense, and a hot hitting Pioneer offense… Meshed together, these were the things to produce a run-rule win for Boone’s favorite sons over visiting Hibriten, 10-0, on March 27, the game shortened by the mercy rule to just six innings after Watauga scored their tenth run vs. Gryder’s shutout performance.
Gryder hurled a 3-hitter in the second highly-efficient complete game for Watauga this week following senior Jameson Hodges’ seven-inning win two days earlier, 5-2 over Alexander Central.
Photographic image by David Rogers
“Gryder had a very low pitch count, maybe only 50 pitches in six innings, which is remarkable,” said Pioneer head coach Mike Windish.
Gryder reported after the game that his mix of pitches includes a fastball, change-up and slider.
“But I really have to credit our defense behind me. They made some plays,” said Gryder.
As for the hot Watauga bats, none were hotter than junior shortstop Maddox Greene, who drove in four runs on two hits. He doubled in the second inning to drive in three runs, as well as doubled in the first inning, plating one run. Catcher Cooper Critcher also doubled in the 5-run second inning, driving in one run.
Photographic image by David Rogers
Critcher was 3-for-3 for the night, accounting for almost a third of Watauga’s 11 hits in the six-inning affair. Joining the hit parade was Jameson Hodges, going 2-for-4 on the night.
The Pioneers go on the road for a March 28 tilt at Freedom (Morganton).
TOP PERFORMERS
WAT – Everett Gryder: winning pitcher, complete game, allowed only three hits, 3 strikeouts, no walks
By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — Efficient pitching with a low pitch count allowed Watauga senior starting pitcher Jameson Hodges to go the distance on March 25, the Pioneers defeating 4A rival Alexander Central, 5-2.
What started out as a pitcher’s duel morphed into a game of threats and opportunities, with the Pioneers getting the upper hand. The visiting Cougars got on the scoreboard first in the third inning but Watauga responded with a 3-run fourth inning. When ACHS put up another run in the top of the sixth inning, the Pioneers came back with two more in the bottom half of the inning.
Watauga senior Jameson Hodges went the distance on March 25 in the Pioneers’ 5-2 win over Alexander Central. Photographic image by David Rogers
And then Hodges took care of the Cougars in the top of the 7th, retiring the side with a 3-up, 3-down performance that included a strikeout and two ground outs to save the victory.
“Hodges’ complete game tonight is the first complete game for us this season,” said Watauga head coach Mike Windish afterwards. “He was very efficient and went the distance with a fairly low pitch count.”
Senior catcher Cooper Critcher started Watauga’s scoring in the fourth inning with an RBI double that plated Evan Burroughs, who got on the bases with a one-out walk. He was followed by Maddox Greene, who singled through the left side to advance Burroughs to second base. Although it was Critcher who knocked in the Pioneers first run with his RBI double in the next at-bat, it was first baseman J T Cook who did the most damage when he ripped a worm-burner up the middle and into center field. That scored pinch runner Dillon Zaragoza as well as Greene.
ACHS junior Grayson Anderson is said to be a college D1 prospect and pitched well against the Pioneers, but dropped a 5-2 decision. Photographic image by David Rogers
Alexander Central had some early opportunities with men on base and in scoring position. They just couldn’t capitalize. They did manufacture one more run in the top of the 6th inning, taking advantage of a Hodges walk awarded to the inning’s first batter, Cougar sophomore Sawyer Chapman-Mays. Two singles later, Chapman-Mays had advanced to third base when Hodges threw a wild pitch, scoring a run. But when Hodges got Connor Braswell to ground out to Greene at shortstop, the inning was over — at least for the Cougars.
For Watauga, it was a different story. Alexander Central starting pitcher Grayson Anderson looked every bit the Division I college prospect he is said to be for most of the game. But in the bottom of the 6th, fatigue may have started to set in for the junior hurler. He walked the first batter, Greene, then hit the next batter, Critcher, to put men on first and second. Cook then rapped a short fly ball to left for his second hit of the evening, to load the bases. Jake Blanton plated the first run of the evening with a sacrifice fly to right field, scoring Greene with a head first slide to the plate (see cover photo). Courtesy runner Zaragoza then scored on a Cade Keller sacrifice fly to right. The inning came to an end when David Pastusic grounded into a fielder’s choice, which nabbed Cook for the third out.
Hodges on the mound, pitching to Alexander Central freshman Graham Hoke on March 25. Photographic image by David Rogers
Then came Hodges’ masterful pitching in the top of the seventh, including his fifth strikeout of the night and two groundouts. When the Cougars’ Graham Hoke rolled a grounder to shortstop Greene, who fielded it cleanly and rifled the ball to Cook at first for the final out, the Pioneer faithful who had braved the cold weather to watch breathed a sigh of relief.
After the game, the Cougars’ head coach, Pete Hardee (who previously was Watauga’s head coach for several years) was candid in speaking with High Country Sports.
“It was cold tonight, but I have been here and played here when it was worse. Tonight, we just couldn’t get that big hit at the right time,” said Hardee. “Hodges threw the ball extremely well. I thought he mixed his pitches very effectively and Watauga played excellent defense. At shortstop, Maddox (Greene) was strong. We missed a key hit here and there and, if not, maybe we could have turned this game around. Watauga is a good ball club and well-coached. We just have to try and get better.”
On March 25, Watauga played good defense vs. Alexander Central. Here, first baseman J T Cook stretches to take a throw from shortstop Maddox Greene. Photographic image by David Rogers
Watauga head coach Mike Windish compared the 7th inning situation to their previous game, a loss to South Caldwell.
“This was very similar,” he said. “Against South Caldwell, we went into the 7th inning with a 3-run lead, but let it get away from us. Tonight, we finished. Their guy, Anderson, did a heckuva job on the mound for most of the game. He held us off, but we capitalized on some timely hits and some timely mistakes by ACHS in which we scored on those. In the seventh, our guy, Hodges, pitched really well. He was very efficient tonight.”
Watauga will go on the road to Lenoir, vs. Hibriten, for another Northwestern Conference matchup on Tuesday, March 26. On the same day, Alexander Central hosts 4A conference rival, South Caldwell.
TOP PERFORMERS
WAT – Jameson Hodges: winning pitcher, complete game, 5 strikeouts, 2 runs on 7 hits
WAT – J T Cook: 2-3, 2 RBIs
WAT – Maddox Greene: 1-2, 2 runs scored, 1 walk
WAT – Cooper Critcher: 1-2, 1 RBI, 2B
WAT – Jake Blanton: 1-2, 1 RBI
WAT – Dillon Zaragoza: Courtesy runner, 2 runs scored
By David Rogers. HUDSON, N.C. — With 11 high schools competing in the 2024 Spartan Invitational track and field meet on March 23, Watauga High School’s team fared pretty well. Other high schools with entries in the various events included the host, South Caldwell, as well as Alexander Central, Elkin, Northwest Cabarrus. Paddyfote Learning Center HS, Pinnacle Classical Academy, Stuart W. Cramer, West Caldwell, West Iredell, and Wilkes Central.
Here is a list of Watauga athletes, by event, including their placing and time or distance:
By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — Back to a full roster and playing for a cause, Watauga High School’s women’s lacrosse team was infused with energy on March 21 on the Leigh Cooper Wallace athletic field at Watauga High School. The Pioneers dominated possession on their way to a decisive, 12-3 win over visiting Patton (Morganton).
It was a special day for the Watauga team, playing under the banner of “Stick it to Cancer,” a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society.
Watauga senior Lilly Farley (2) brings the ball upfield vs. Patton. Photographic image by David Rogers
Pioneer head coach Hannah Bateman told reporters afterward that playing for the cancer research cause added something extra for the team’s performance. Plus, this was the first game back to having a full roster and not having to try different people at the goalkeeper position.
Attack player Juna Gersonde had a big day in the field, converting four of six shots on goal into tallies for the Pioneers. Midfielder teammate Aidan Stroud added three goals and an assist, while Lilly Farley came off the bench to punch in three goals.
While the Pioneer defense was stingy in allowing Patton to threaten offensively much less score, goalkeeper Jiada Ballard turned away three Patton shot attempts for saves.
Now 2-5 overall and in conference, Watauga next hosts Asheville on March 26, then travels to Hickory on April 9.
The Patton goalkeeper was under attack for much of the March 21 women’s lacrosse match hosted by Watauga on ‘Stick it to Cancer’ day at Leigh Cooper Wallace Field. Here, she turns away a goal attempt by the Pioneer senior, Aidan Stroud (6) — who was successful on three other occasions in this 12-3 romp over the Morganton side. Photographic image by David Rogers
By David Rogers. MARVIN RIDGE, N.C. — There is a youth movement happening in Watauga High School’s track and field program, with a large number of freshmen and sophomore athletes competing on both the men’s and women’s events. While none of the Pioneers took top honors in any of the events staged at the March 16 Marvin Ridge Invitational, there were several bright spots and broad participation.
In the Men’s Pole Vault, senior Clayo Kulcyk and junior Luke Wilson both finished in the top four, No. 2 and No. 4, respectively, among the 13 finalists in the event.
In the Women’s Division of the Pole Vault, Olivia Burroughs earned a tie for the No. 3 spot, out of 17 vaulters in the finals.
There were more than 40 schools competing in the Marvin Ridge Invitational, so more than 1,000 athletes are estimated to have been vying for top finishes and personal records.
Other highlights:
Sadie Buchanan was No. 2 in the 100 Meter Hurdles final and No. 3 in the 300 Meter Hurdles final. There were 36 athletes competing in the 100m event and 38 competing in the 300IH.
Lainey Johnston was No. 9 in the 800 Meter Run of of 43 competing.
Janie Beach-Verhay placed No. 11 in the 1600 Meter Run out of 42 competing.
Olivia Burroughs finished No. 9 in the Discus, with 27 competing and No. 9 in the Shot Put with 29 competing athletes
Will Bradbury finished No. 10 at the 800 Meter distance out of 58 competing.
Landon Smith earned a No. 6 finish in the 110 Meter Hurdles event, with 24 athletes competing.
Nyle Peays and Landon Smith tied for No. 8 in the 300 Meter Hurdles, with 34 athletes competing.
Carson Gunnell-Beck took No. 8 in the Discus, with 28 competing.
In the Shot Put, Caleb Dewey took the No. 8 spot among 24 contestants.
By David Rogers. WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — After falling behind by as many as 11 points in the first half of the NCHSAA 4A West Regional Championship game on March 14, Watauga clawed back to tie Charlotte Catholic at 34-34 early in the second half and even led at 39-38. Unfortunately, the Cougars’ adept 3-point shooting and strong inside play around post player Blanca Thomas kept the Pioneers from extending their momentum. CCHS won, 61-55, at the Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum on the campus of Wake Forest University.
BONUS PHOTOS at bottom of article
In some respects, this was a battle between one dominant player on each team: Thomas had a team-high 27 points for CCHS while Kate Sears poured in a game-high 38 points for the Pioneers. No other players on either team scored in double figures but the Cougars had just a little more scoring from players not having a last name of Thomas than the Watauga support players not named Sears.
School holiday? The Pioneers had a monster student section on March 14 vs. Charlotte Catholic at LJVMC on the campus of Wake Forest University. Photographic image by David Rogers
Case in point: Charlotte Catholic was good on 7-of-18 shots (39 percent) from beyond the arc, compared to Watauga’s paltry 4-of-22 (18 percent) from 3-point land. Freshman sharpshooter Blair Haines was 2-for-2 from long distance to account for half of her team’s made threes. The rest of the team was 2-for-20.
Especially against opponents with a significant size advantage such as Charlotte Catholic had on the court that can dominate inside the paint, Watauga thrives — or not — from beyond the arc. This was one of those “not” encounters.
The High Country community came out in force to support the Pioneers’ historic berth in the NCHSAA 4A West Regional Championship Game. Photographic image by David Rogers
Reflecting that dominance inside, Charlotte Catholic outrebounded Watauga, 38-20, through the course of the game, including 15 offensive boards that provided the Cougars with an ample number of second chance opportunities and 23 defensive rebounds that denied the Pioneers of second chance shots.
One area that allowed Watauga to keep the game close was in free throw shooting. The Pioneers made good on 17-of-21 (81 percent) from the charity stripe while Charlotte Catholic struggled at the line, 12-of-20 (60 percent).
One of the ways Watauga kept the NCHSAA 4A West Regional Championship vs. Charlotte Catholic close was because of pesky, close defense like Blair Haines in this photo. Photographic image by David Rogers
With seven seniors on the Cougars’ roster, the Charlotte contingent was just a little bit deeper than the Pioneers. CCHS had six players who were on the court at least 19 minutes or longer, Watauga also had six players in double-digit minutes played, but Sears (31 minutes), Laney Shook (23), Kaitlyn Darner (28) and Charlotte Torgerson (30) were the only ones on the court for 23 minutes or more. Julie Matheson (16) and Haines (17) saw significant time on the floor, too.
With the win, Charlotte Catholic advances to the 4A Championship game on March 16, also to be played at LJVMC. They will face the Rolesville Rams, who defeated the Hoggard Vikings in the 4A East Regional Championship.
With the loss, Watauga’s historic season comes to a close.
TOP PERFORMERS
WAT – Kate Sears: 38 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals
WAT – Charlotte Torgerson: 4 points, 1 assist, 1 steal
WAT – Kaitlyn Darner: 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals
BONUS PHOTOS
All photos by David Rogers for High Country Sports
Watauga’s Kate Sears poured in a game-high 38 points in the NCHSAA 4A West Regional Championship game before seeing the Pioneers fall to Charlotte Catholic, 61-55. Photographic image by David RogersOne of the ways Watauga kept the NCHSAA 4A West Regional Championship vs. Charlotte Catholic close was because of pesky, close defense like Blair Haines in this photo. Photographic image by David Rogers
School holiday? The Pioneers had a monster student section on March 14 vs. Charlotte Catholic at LJVMC on the campus of Wake Forest University. Photographic image by David Rogers
The High Country community came out in force to support the Pioneers’ historic berth in the NCHSAA 4A West Regional Championship Game. Photographic image by David Rogers
By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — Against NCHSAA 2A power Fred T. Foard High School, Watauga women’s soccer face one of the best coached and better prepared teams they will face in the non-conference schedule. Thanks to persistent defense and an adept “small ball” offensive attack, the Pioneers prevailed, 2-0.
Pioneer senior forward Katie Durham recorded a first half goal, the assist credited to Morgan Flynt. The final goal came midway through the second half, by Charlotte Cuthbert and the assist credited to Savanna Rogers.
Watauga’s Katie Durham (15) threatens to score in the first half vs. Fred T. Foard on March 13. Photographic image by David Rogers
“Morgan gave a really good through-ball,” said Durham in recalling her first half goal. “I was just able to get to it before the goalkeeper.”
Cuthbert said her goal resulted from a cross kick pass from Rogers. In terms of the Pioneers’ expectations in meeting Foard, Cuthbert added, “We know from past games in which we have played them, in previous seasons, they always come pretty aggressive. They come out strong. They have a consistency in their strength throughout the game.”
“We knew that most of Foard’s games are on fields that are much smaller than ours,” said Durham. “So we wanted to really make them run, maybe make them tire. We have the biggest field in our conference and one of the biggest in the region.”
Savannah Rogers (22) pounds a crossing kick from the right sideline to in front of the Watauga goal on March 13 vs. Fred T. Foard HS. Photographic image by David Rogers
Watauga head coach Chris Tarnowski was quick to express appreciation for Foard and the stiff opposition they provided.
“We have to give a lot of credit to Foard,” said Tarnowski about Watauga’s March 13 opponent. “They are an extremely well-coached team and they have one of the highest strength of schedules in the entire West region. After losing their opening match to one of our Northwestern Conference rivals, Hibriten, by the same score we beat them today (2-0), Foard came into this match with three straight wins over Maiden (6-0), Bandys (3-1) and Crest (4-3). They came out to play tonight and are probably among the most solid defensive teams we will face all year.”
Analyzing his own team’s performance, gave another nod to Foard’s defense.
“We had a little bit of trouble in the first half moving the ball the way we like,” said Tarnowski. “We just needed to settle down. We did that and put together some small passes in the middle that really fuels our entire offense. We have the players to connect quick, small passes when they are on it. It just takes some minutes playing together to get that chemistry down and that confidence in one another. That’s why we schedule these early season tough games. We want to build off of these Foard type matches.
Watauga senior forward Georgia Parker (9) fights for possession on March 13 vs. Fred T. Foard High School. Photographic image by David Rogers
“Those quick short passes is the way we think the game should be played,” Tarnowski added. “It is a style that makes sure all of the players on the field get involved. Foard plays the same way and that is one of the reasons this game was so close. You had two really good teams playing good soccer.”
Tarnowski acknowledged that Watauga has some new faces on the field this season and it takes minutes playing together to establish the kind of chemistry required.
“Our new players and others playing in new roles are doing really, really well,” he said. “They will get even better with the minutes playing together.”
Now 4-0 in the young season with non-conference wins over St. Stephens (5-1), Wilkes Central (5-1), East Forsyth (4-1), and now Foard (2-0). The Pioneers are halfway through their non-conference schedule with four more tough assignments on March 15 @ Forbush (Yadkinville), March 18 @ Asheville, March 22 vs. Lincoln Charter, and March 28 @ Abingdon. They open Northwestern Conference play on April 9 @ South Caldwell and April 12 @ Alexander Central.
By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — Oops, it happened again.
For the second time in as many weeks, a basketball net was cut down in the High Country. Last week it was App State men’s basketball team celebrating the Sun Belt Conference regular season championship. On Friday, March 8, it was the Watauga High School women’s basketball team’s turn after a thrilling, 50-38 win over Myers Park to advance to the Final Four of the North Carolina 4A State Playoffs.
It may well have been the last time in 2024 that a basketball game will be played in Lentz Eggers Gym, but the reverberations of a capacity crowd providing an electric atmosphere — and an electrifying team performance — will undoubtedly expand the limits of High Country time.
Once again, the Pioneers struggled to score early on. After the Pioneers and Mustangs traded blows in the first quarter, Myers Park gained momentum to take a 16-9 lead at the beginning of the second period. But especially after freshman Blair Haines ignited the crowd with a nothing-but-net early in the period, the Pioneers seemed to regain their rhythm and the shots from long range started dropping for Kate Sears, Charlotte Torgerson, and Julie Matheson from long distance.
Having played each other just a year ago in an early season Charlotte tournament, these two adversaries were somewhat familiar with each other and the tight battles reflected as they went back and forth. Myers Park held a tenuous, 20-19 lead at intermission but with tenacious defense forcing Mustang turnovers the Pioneers gained the upper hand, 31-26 at the end of the third period.
Watauga head coach Bill Torgerson finishes cutting down the net after his Pioneers defeated Myers Park, 50-38, to advance to the Final Four of the NC 4A State Playoffs. Photo by Donny McIver for High Country Sports
Once again, as they have done all season at home, Watauga poured it on in the final stanza with 19 fourth quarter points while limiting Myers Park to just 12, gaining separation. And the scoring came from multiple players, including a pair of dagger “threes” of the hands of Matheson, five points each from Sears and Kaitlyn Darner, and a couple of bonus free throws from Charlotte Torgerson.
“I think the crowd really energized us when we struggled to score,” said Pioneer head coach Bill Torgerson, “but really battling on defense. Then, when we knock down a couple of threes and the crowd is going bananas, that really boosts the players’ confidence.”
Acknowledging that the Pioneers are somewhat undersized vs. a lot of teams, Torgerson emphasized how important shooting from long range is to his team.
Watauga’s players were all smiles after defeating Myers Park in Round 4 of the NC 4A State Playoffs on March 8. Photo by Donny McIver for High Country Sports
“We shoot a lot threes so (when they aren’t falling) that is why we can have lower scoring quarter,” Torgerson said, “but then we can have a big one like in the fourth, scoring 19. I told them at half if we hit on 6-of-15 (3-point attempts) instead of 3-of-15, we probably win.
“We got going in transition more,” he added, “and our defense was spectacular. That’s what kept us in the game.”
The Pioneers will now turn their attention to preparing for the 4A West bracket championship game — also known as the State semifinals — vs. No. 3 seed Charlotte Catholic. The Cougars advanced with a 51-44 win over Lake Norman. The Regional Championship game will be played at the Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Winston-Salem at approximately 5 p.m.
By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — Watauga defeated Mallard Creek, 62-44, on March 5, but how they did it was something worth witnessing.
For the first three minutes of the first quarter against Mallard Creek in Round 3 of the NC State Playoffs, many of the home fans in Lentz Eggers Gym may have been worried, or at least were wearing puzzled looks on their faces. The Watauga starters were getting good looks after breaking the Mavericks’ press, but couldn’t seem to buy a bucket. Some three minutes in and the No. 1 seeded Pioneers trailed No. 8 Mallard Creek, 10-0.
Enter Watauga freshman, Blair Haines. Per the Pioneers’ usual brisk passing inside, outside, and around the perimeter, suddenly Haines had an open look from behind the arc and she calmly banked it in. Junior point guard Kate Sears may have had a couple of points before Haines but when the diminutive freshman hit nothing but net off the glass from downtown King Street, it seemed a trigger to change the Pioneer fortunes.
Laney Shook spots an inside opportunity to go to the basket. Photographic image by David Rogers
Watauga completed the comeback to take the lead, 14-10 ant the end of the first quarter, Sears pouring in 11 of the points, including three 3-pointers. With Sears driving the lane to add 8 more points in the second period and sophomore forward Laney Shook adding four of her own, the Pioneers had a 26-21 lead going into halftime, thanks largely to a disruptive defensive effort that forced the Mavericks to take off balance shots (that missed the mark).
What would the second half bring? In a word, the Pioneers found a rhythm. They got four, 3-point daggers in the second half from Julie Matheson. They got a couple more from senior guard Charlotte Torgerson and, of course, they got 11 more second half points from Sears, including two from long distance.
At the end of Q3, the Pioneers led, 40-36, but it was the final stanza that Watauga soared. Aided by Maverick turnovers, the Pioneers capitalized, limiting Mallard Creek to just eight points in the final stanza while scoring 22 of their own.
After commending his team for their resiliency in coming back from that 10-point opening deficit, Watauga head coach Bill Torgerson drew some comparisons.
Sears slips by a Mallard Creek block attempt to score in Round 3. Photographic image by David Rogers
“The game felt like the North Meck (Round 2) game in some ways because Kate did the bulk of our scoring in the first half as the defense was covering the other players,” said Torgerson. “And then when the defense adjusted to key in on Kate, the rest of the players had some opportunities. Julie Matheson really delivered with four, second-half threes and Charlotte Torgerson scored nine in the second half.”
But the Pioneers’ head coach knows that winning basketball is seldom just about offense.
“We knew we were going to have to do the best job of the year as far as our transition defense,” the first year Watauga head coach said. “Mallard Creek’s Lilly Booker and Ellie Stone are really dangerous running the floor and looking for each other. Our players really executed that (defensive) part of what we needed to do.”
Torgerson did not overlook Blair Haines’ early contributions.
“I think that was probably the most freshman Blair Haines has played and I thought she gave us some really important minutes,” said Torgerson. “She pressured the ball, she made some good decisions, and she hit a big first quarter three when we were really having a hard time scoring.”
The near capacity crowd in Lentz Eggers Gym for this third round game provided an electric atmosphere that also did not go unnoticed by the coach.
“The crowd was fantastic again. I think it’s a big advantage for us when they show out like that. I think they were a big part of the second half run we were able to make,” he said.
The Pioneers will now host No.4 seeded Myers Park on Friday, March 8, 6 p.m. In the lower half of the 4A West bracket, No. 2. Lake Norman faces No. 3 Charlotte Catholic.
In the 4A East, No. Rolesville advanced and will face No. 6 Chapel Hill in the lower bracket while No. 1 seeded Hoggard takes on No. 5 Richmond in the upper bracket.
By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — Leave it to a couple of Watauga pitchers to help themselves out in the slugging department, in two different games on March 4 at West Wilkes, for the Classic at the Creek baseball tournament.
In an oddity of scheduling, the winner of the tournament’s Game 1 between St. Stephens and Watauga was rewarded with having to play a second, Game 2, immediately afterwards against tournament host, West Wilkes. The Blackhawks apparently gave themselves a bye into the second round, because it was reported that the winner of Game 2 on March 4 advances to the championship game on Thursday, March7.
Luke Rothrock picked up the save for Watauga’s 12-1 win over St. Stephens. Photographic image by David Rogers
The Pioneers were undeterred by the challenge. In Game 1, sophomore Everett Gryder was on the mound for Watauga and looked to be engaged in an old fashioned pitcher’s duel with the score tied at 0-0 at the end of the third inning. But in the top of the 4th, Pioneer first baseman JT Cook ran out a pop up that was mishandled by the Saints’ third baseman. Sophomore centerfielder Jake Blanton followed with a line-drive single to left. With David Pastusic at the plate, Cook and Blanton both advanced on a wild pitch before Pastusic rapped a line drive out to the St. Stephens third baseman. With one out and runners on second and third, Jake Henderson drew a walk that loaded the bases.
And that’s where the real drama begins. Gryder came to the plate and didn’t waste any time securing a spot in the record books as the winning pitcher of this game. On the second pitched ball, he drilled a moonshot over the left field fence for a grand slam home run and a 4-0 Watauga lead.
J T Cook rounds the bases after one of his two HRs against St. Stephens in the Classic at the Creek baseball tournament hosted by West Wilkes. Photographic image by David Rogers
But the Pioneers weren’t done in the power department against the Saints. They slugged three more home runs — back to back dingers by Cook and another by Pastusic — plus a couple of doubles off the bats of catcher Cooper Critcher and shortstop Maddox Greene. And just to round out the team performance with speed on basepaths, Evan Burroughs stole a pair of bases, while Jake Henderson swiped another.
TOP PERFORMERS IN GAME 1
Everett Gryder: Winning pitcher, grand slam HR, 1-3, 4 RBIs
Without a lot of depth in their pitching staff, including a couple of early season sore arms, the Pioneers scrambled for help on the mound for Game 2. By the end of the second inning, the Blackhawks sported a 6-1 lead and at the end of the third frame, Watauga had only closed the gap a little bit, 6-2, with Maddox Greene and J T Cook advancing home on wild pitches.
In the top half of the 4th, Dillon Zaragoza ripped a double to left field, then later benefited from two wild pitches, advancing to third base, then taking home two pitches later. That tightened the deficit, but the Pioneers were still looking at the wrong end of a 6-3 score.
The Blackhawks’ Harrison Holbrook launched his second home run of the game in the bottom of the 4th, a 2-run dinger that expanded the West Wilkes lead to 8-3.
But in the top half of the 5th inning, David Pastusic rapped a bases load single that plated both Cook and Cooper Critcher, then Jake Blanton scored on a bases loaded walk to Jameson Hodges. That was all the Watauga offense for the inning but they found themselves back within reach, down 8-6.
Photographic image by David Rogers
With Zaragoza now on the mound, the sophomore was able to wiggle out of the bottom of the 5th inning without allowing a run, surviving a Watauga fielding error and walking a batter that put a West Wilkes runner in scoring position to no avail.
The top of the 6th inning proved to be the Blackhawks’ undoing as the Pioneers became “doubles crazy” — and Zaragoza rapped the double down the left field line that put Watauga tenuously in the lead, 9-8. Ahead of him, Cook and Blanton had hit consecutive doubles to tighten the score to 8-7 and Jake Henderson had scored an RBI when he hit a sacrifice fly to center field, scoring Blanton, to tie the game at 8-8.
Photographic image by David Rogers
Now with a 9-8 lead and Zaragoza poised to become the winning pitcher of record, Watauga inserted the fourth Pioneer pitcher of the night, Evan Burroughs. The young sophomore gave up a walk and a sacrifice bunt that moved a Blackhawk runner into scoring position in second, but the next batter grounded out to Maddox Greene at shortstop for the final out of the inning.
The top of the 7th inning saw Burroughs helping the cause, offensively, with a line drive single to left to lead off, then stealing second base. Greene followed with a long fly ball to the right fielder but the fleet Burroughs was able to tag up and advance to third with just one out. That proved timely because the Pioneers were able to score and insurance run with Critcher lofting yet another sacrifice fly to left field, scoring Burroughs.
Burroughs made short work of the Blackhawks in their last at-bats, fanning three consecutive batters to secure the win for the Pioneers.
Top Performers for Watauga against West Wilkes
Dillon Zaragoza: winning pitcher, 2 doubles
Evan Burroughs: save, 1-5, 1 run scored, stolen base
J T Cook: 1-3, 3 runs scored, 2 BB, 2B
Jake Blanton: 1-1, 2 runs scored, 1 RBI, 2 BB
David Pastusic: 2-4, 1 run scored, 2 RBIs, 2 stolen bases
The Pioneers are now scheduled to play Mt. Airy in the tournament championship game on March 7, 4:30 p.m., on the West Wilkes field.
