Wingmen win 7-4 over the Clovers
The Kinston Wingmen held their nerve in a tense finish on Monday, securing a 7-4 victory over the Clovers despite a late surge from their opponents. The Clovers rallied in the ninth inning, scoring three runs off a home run by Davie Morgan, but the Wingmen's earlier lead proved to large enough for the win.
The Wingmen's decisive moment came in the sixth inning when they notched five runs. Tyler Parks, Wade Jarman, Judson Collier, and Fisher Harrison all contributed with RBIs, building a lead that would carry them through the rest of the game.
On the mound, Brandon Warren earned the victory for the Wingmen, surrendering one run on four hits over six innings, striking out four and walking one. Thomas Hill, Jackson Gause, and Colby Gardner all provided solid relief, helping to steer the team towards victory.
The Clovers' pitcher, Roy Tayman, surrendered five runs on four hits over five innings, striking out five. Kam Dunlap, Hugh Collins, and Witt Branham each contributed in relief for the Clovers.
Offensively, the Wingmen were on point, totaling eight hits in the game. Both Jarman and Collier collected multiple hits, leading the team.
Despite totaling nine hits, the Clovers couldn't overcome the Wingmen's sixth-inning surge. Morgan and Zach Zoltoski managed multiple hits for the Clovers, but their efforts weren't enough to turn the tide.
The victory brings the Wingmen's record to 7-8 for the season, a testament to their resilience and determination in their inaugural season in the Old North State League. The team, which includes local talent from Lenoir County and Lenoir Community College, is eager to continue their winning ways and make their mark in the league.
Head Coach Jackson Massey reflected on the game, saying, “I thought the guys played really well. Brandon Warren (LCC) pitched really well and we had some timely hits with aggressive baserunning. This last week with only two games gave us a chance to rest our arms and this is probably the healthiest we’ve been all year. I think we’re starting to find our identity of what kind of team we are and hopefully we can strand a few of these wins together.”
Looking ahead, the Wingmen will face the Chutes on Tuesday, June 27, at JP Riddle. They will then travel to Big League Camp to take on the Swamp Foxes on Wednesday, June 28. Their next home game will be against the Surfin Turfs on Sunday, July 2, at Lancer Field.
