Floodgates Open in Laurinburg

by Jessi Gannon

A 31-run, extra innings coastal division thriller is the Old North State League game of the week for the week of June 9th through June 15th.

On Thursday, June 12th, the Shallotte Shallywags made the one and a half hour drive to Legacy Park, the home of the Laurinburg Highland Hooligans, for an early-season coastal division clash. The Shallywags entered the game on a two-game skid after a 3-0 start, looking to reignite a win streak. On the other end, the Highland Hooligans bested the Hope Mills Rockfish the previous day but had struggled to open the season, beginning 2-3. Both teams looked to leave the ballpark with a win, but most likely not expecting the result.

The visitors struck first as the first two batters reached base, and a single loaded the bases before Cody Crafton doubled to center to score the first two runs of the game. Bobby Fleming toed the rubber for the Shallywags, holding the home team to just two baserunners through the first three innings.

The Shallywags scored a third run off a wild pitch in the top of the 4th, and the Highland Hooligans responded with three of their own in the bottom half. A lead-off double was followed up by a single, plating the first. A Charlie Kapp double scored the next two to knot the scores. Laurinburg took their first lead off a wild pitch in the bottom of the 5th.

After getting the first three batters on base in the 6th, the Shallywags took advantage, putting up a six-spot. Consecutive wild pitches gave the visitors a comfortable advantage. The Highland Hooligans did not back down as they halved the deficit, scoring three runs in the bottom of the frame.

The Shallywags began to struggle finding the strike zone in the bottom of the 7th, walking six batters while also allowing four runs to score courtesy of wild pitches to give the home fans something to cheer for as their team took a 12-10 lead. The advantage did not last long; a string of base hits set up Trey Pierce to tie the game with a single. A hit by pitch, walk, and ensuing single gave the Shallywags a three-run lead into the bottom of the 8th.

The scoring was not done there, and a quick response stemmed from an Arturo Rodriquez two-run single. A hit-by-pitch and walk scored the infielder as the game headed to the 9th, tied 15-15. Neither team was able to score in regulation as the game headed to extra innings.

Ryan Yaroshuk was the hero for the visitors, driving in the go-ahead run on a full count. Right-hander Brent Avery closed out the game for the Shallywags, retiring the side, as he earned the save for going 3IP, only allowing one hit and one walk.