Staff Report

The Chapin-Newberry infield stands at the ready with pitcher Ryne Huggins on the mound.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/web1_DSC_0664.jpgThe Chapin-Newberry infield stands at the ready with pitcher Ryne Huggins on the mound. Courtesy photo

ASHEBORO, N.C. — Chapin-Newberry opened the American Legion Southeastern Regional with a 4-3 win Wednesday over Florida State Champion Tallahassee Post 113. The win put Chapin-Newberry (24-0) in the Winner’s Bracket.

Newberry High lefty Ryne Huggins was on the bump for C/N. He faced 33 batters in eight innings striking out seven while giving up eight hits and three walks. He was relieved by Patrick Yoder for the ninth inning with the game tied 3-3. Yoder faced the minimum in the ninth, striking out two and inducing a comeback to the mound for the third out to earn the win.

C/N scored one run in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings to make the score 3-0. Tallahassee scored three runs on four hits to tie the game in the eighth and make it three all.

With their backs against the wall, Chapin-Newberry scored the winning run in the bottom of the ninth inning. With one out Zack Ziesing walked and Danton Hyman laid down what appeared to be a perfect sacrifice bunt to the pitcher who threw wildly to first base allowing Ziesing to score the winning run.

“This was a must win game for us and our boys battled the whole way through. Huggins gave us another gutsy performance on the mound and Yoder was lights out in the top of the 9th inning. Our boys just keep finding the way to win,” said Daniel Gregory, Chapin-Newberry’s head coach.

Leading hitters for Chapin-Newberry were Hyman 2-4, Allison 2-4, Hawkins 1-3 with 1 RBI, Stoudemire 1-4, Smith 1-2 with a walk and a Sac Bunt, and Burton 1-4 with 2 RBIs.

Chapin-Newberry was back in action on Aug. 6 vs the North Carolina State Champion team from Post 342 Rowan County (Salisbury). Results were not available at press time.