Jackets shutout Panthers to advance to 3rd round in NCHSAA championship playoffs

The Jackets started off hot in the bottom of the first inning to take a 3-0 lead.  Marcus Allen had a 2 RBI single to score Cameron Rogerson and Hunter Connell.  Allen would later score on an RBI groundout by Josh Elias.  

It would not take the Yellow Jackets long to add to their lead. In the bottom of the 2nd inning, Hunter Connell would have a 2 RBI single to score Tommy Bradley and Cameron Rogerson.  This would give RRHS a 5-0 lead after 2 innings of play.

RRHS would score 2 more runs in the 4th inning to take a 7-0 lead.  Marcus Allen would score on an RBI single from Aaron Jackson.  Colby Warren later score on an RBI bases loaded walk to Tommy Bradley.

The Yellow Jackets would finish off the scoring in the bottom of the 6th inning when Aaron Jackson would score on a passed ball.

Josh Elias then shut down East Duplin in the top of the 7th to seal the victory.  Elias pitched the complete game shutout giving up only 5 hits while striking out 4 batters.

Yellow Jackets coach Mark Snead stated, "Just like the 1st round win, this was a complete game effort.  We were really strong in all 3 phases of the game.  Josh pitched another great game.  He kept them off balance by mixing up his pitches and not giving them anything too good to hit.  Our defense was once again excellent tonight.  We made some great plays behind Josh and shut down all of their scoring chances.  On offense we came out and set the tone early.  We were aggressive when we got pitches to hit and it really paid off.  I am really happy for our guys and excited about how well they played."

RRHS improves to 20-3 on the season and will now advance to the 3rd round of the NCHSAA 2A State Playoffs.  The Yellow Jackets will hit the road in the next round as they travel to Edenton to take on the #2 seed Edenton John A. Holmes Aces. 

The game is set for Tuesday, May 16 at 7pm and will be aired on WPTM 102.3 FM and on the web at www.1023wptm.com