Greene Central's Costly Errors Lead to Game 1 Loss Against Whiteville
SNOW HILL, N.C. — There is never a good time to lose in the playoffs. If a team is going to lose, the best-of-three series is the time to have a bad game, and the Rams did just that by committing five errors and allowing a season-high four runs, with three of the four runs resulting from errors.
In game one of the NCHSAA 2A Playoffs Eastern Regional Finals, top-seeded Greene Central saw its impressive 25-game winning streak come to a halt with a 4-3 loss to No. 2 seed Whiteville in extra innings on Tuesday night.
The game was a roller coaster from the start. Whiteville’s second batter hit a pop-up to left-center field that was lost in the sun, turning into a double and scoring the leadoff runner who had reached base on a walk. The Wolfpack then added another run on a passed ball, taking an early 2-0 lead.
Greene Central (25-1) responded immediately. Braden Burress led off with a double to right field and was brought home by Easton Creech's sacrifice fly. Will Radford reached on balls, and pinch runner Mason Dillion scored on a Noah Uzzell single to tie the game at 2-2.
In the top of the fourth inning, back-to-back errors by Austin Hardy and Easton Creech allowed Whiteville to regain the lead, 3-2. The Rams quickly answered, with Brady Anderson reaching on a walk, advancing to second on an error by the Wolfpack catcher, and moving to third on Jordan Scott's fly ball to right field. Anderson then scored on a wild pitch, tying the game once again at 3-3.
Senior pitcher Austin Hardy pitched valiantly for the Rams, leaving the game in the sixth inning after reaching his pitch count. Hardy finished with 5.2 innings pitched, giving up three hits, three runs (only one earned), walking four batters, and striking out seven. Riley Radford replaced Hardy and delivered a strong performance, pitching 2.1 innings, allowing one hit and one unearned run while striking out three.
Whiteville scored the decisive run in the top of the eighth inning. The Rams had an opportunity to respond in the bottom half with Dillion, Anderson, and Scott, but they failed to get on base.
Greene Central coach Ben Brann remained positive about his team's effort. "I don't have any problem with how our guys competed and played hard. Austin didn't have his best stuff, but he got up there and competed and kept us in the game."
Reflecting on the game’s defensive struggles, Brann said, "We just got to clean it up and be clean on defense. That was not Rams defense tonight."
Despite the loss, individual performances stood out. Braden Burress went 2-for-3 with one walk, one run scored, and two doubles. Will Radford was 1-for-2 with one walk, and Noah Uzzell finished 2-for-3 with one RBI and one walk. Austin Brock added a hit, going 1-for-3. However, the bottom of the lineup, which has been clutch for the Rams this season, struggled, going 1-for-15 combined from the sixth to ninth hitters.
Looking ahead to Game 2, Brann spilled some insight on what he told the team after the game.
"We got Braden Freakin' Burress pitching Thursday, and then we are going to come back and win on Friday night."
With their season on the line, Greene Central will travel to Whiteville on Thursday. If the Rams win, Whiteville will return to Snow Hill for a decisive Game 3 on Friday.
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