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Eagles bang out three big wins

3 May 2007 - The Rosewood Eagles seemed poised for a strong post season as they knocked off the second place team in the conference, and posted double digits in two more wins.

Rosewood completed sweep week with a 10-4 win over Spring Creek in front of the home crowd Friday night. Thursday the Eagles took down Wayne Country Day in a 12-6 non-conference contest.

The big game was last Tuesday against North Johnston, as the Eagles faced their former skipper, David Lawhon, and the man who coached their present coach, Josh Smith. Earlier this year at North Johnston, the Panthers dealt Rosewood their first conference loss.

This time was different from the start, as the growing more confident Eagles jumped into the lead in the bottom of the first as Holt Rains singled home a run and Taylor Allen doubled to make it 2-0.

Rains brought in a third run in the third inning on a double. Robert Franks drove in another in the bottom of the fifth as Rosewood held a commanding 4-0 margin going into the top of the sixth.

The Panthers rallied with two runs in the top of the sixth.
Cody Richards seemed to have the answer, as the Eagles hitter banged a two run homer in the bottom of the frame to put Rosewood back on top by four.

Richards took the mound in relief of Taylor Allen in the top of the seventh. The Panthers greeted the new pitcher with a single, and then one out later, a double. A bunt single and then a double and North was suddenly just one run down with a runner on second with two outs.

Richards got the final strikeout to preserve the win.

Allen was credited with the win, allowing just four hits while striking out four and allowing four walks.

Thursday the Eagles jumped out on the Chargers early, putting up four runs in the fourth and two in the third.

Josh Hamilton shut out WCD early, allowing just two hits before six walks helped the Chargers in a four-run fourth inning outburst. Matt Neal came on in relief, giving up five hits and two runs. David Smeltzer pitched the seventh.

The visiting Chargers had six errors in the game.

Allen had a homer, Richards a double, and Neal had two hits to lead Rosewood.

Friday Neal shut out Spring Creek through four innings, while the Eagle offense put up eight runs, including two homers in the third.

In the fifth the Gators put up three runs against Neal. Richards finished the final two innings on the mound, giving up a final run in the seventh.

Smeltzer and Richards led Rosewood with three hits each. Goss Kendall and Chris Hare each had two hits.

Neal recorded five strikeouts and only allowed four hits and two walks in his five innings of work. Richards only allowed one walk and no walks while recording a strikeout in two innings on the mound.

The Eagles faced North Duplin at home this Tuesday, and finish the regular season Friday hosting Princeton. If the Eagles won Tuesday and Princeton lost to Ayden-Grifton, Friday Rosewood could be playing for a share on the conference title. Regardless, Friday will be a big emotional game for both teams.

Rosewood entered Tuesday with a 6-2 conference mark, 15-4 overall.