The #11 seeded Roanoke Rapids High School Yellow Jackets Varsity Baseball team defeated the #25 seeded Trinity High School in the first round of the NCHSAA 2A State Playoffs by a score of 4-0 Wednesday night at Doyle Field.
The Bulldogs put runners on first and second in the top of the 1st inning, but pitcher Colby Warren induced an inning ending groundout. This would be the last time Trinity would get a runner in scoring position for the game.
The Yellow Jackets broke a scoreless tie in the bottom of the 3rd inning. Jordan Collins led off with a walk. Tommy Bradley followed with a single to right field. Bracy Irby laid down a perfect sacrifice bunt to put runners on 2nd and 3rd with one out. Cameron Rogerson followed with a 2 RBI single to give RRHS a 2-0 lead.
The score would stay that way until the bottom of the 5th inning. Tommy Bradley led off the inning with an infield single. Bracy Irby followed him with a bunt single to put runners on 1st and 2nd with no outs. Cameron Rogerson then delivered again with another RBI single. Colby Warren would drive in Irby with a sacrifice fly to deep center field to make the score 4-0 after 5 innings.
Colby Warren would make the lead hold up by retiring the final 15 batters he faced in the game. Warren pitched the complete game shutout to get the win. He gave up only 2 hits while striking out 7 batters.
Coach Mark Snead stated, "We played a great game tonight. That is the way you win playoff games. Colby did an excellent job on the mound. He pitched one of his best games of the year. Our defense was stellar behind him. We played nearly flawless in the field and picked each other up all night. Finally on offense, we got production from the whole lineup. The bottom of the order got on base to set up the top of the lineup for RBI opportunities. We then got timely hits to score the runs off a strong pitcher. We have to continue to play strong in all 3 phases of the game to keep advancing in the playoffs."
With the win the Yellow Jackets (19-3) advance to the second round of the NCHSAA 2A State Playoffs. RRHS will host East Duplin, who were 8-7 winners over Midway in the first round, at Doyle Field.
The day and time will of the 2nd round game will be determined on Thursday morning.
Game photos by Randy Wrenn and Joyce Liverman
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