MYRTLE GROVE, N.C. – With a trip to last year’s 4A state championship series under its belt and that team’s core still intact, Ashley baseball has navigated through this season with a large target on its back.

After suffering two conference losses in the last two weeks, the Screaming Eagles showed that they can also hunt down top teams.

A 3-1 win over defending NCISAA state champion Grace Christian of Sanford helped turn the page and kick off this week’s Wilmington Baseball Classic.

Drew Potter launched a home run and drove in all three runs. On the mound, Cane Mehling took care of the rest. The senior went the distance, striking out 11 and scattering eight hits.

In the bottom of the second, Potter greeted the Crusaders’ ace Luke Roupe with a solo shot to right field.

Grace Christian immediately answered in the third thanks to a bunt base hit from Wesley Clewis and a game-tying double off the bat of Caleb Ellis.

The top of the Ashley order claimed the lead for good in the bottom of the fourth. Quinn Bentley and Tanner Berry got into scoring position for Potter, who lifted a ball deep enough into center field to allow Bentley to trot home with ease.

On the back end of the play, Berry and the Screaming Eagles rolled the dice. The UNCG recruit tagged up and took off from second to score safely ahead of the relay throw.

Mehling buckled down and preserved the 3-1 lead the rest of the way. It included escaping a bases-loaded jam in the fifth, striking out two in the sixth, and reaching back to empty the tank with two more punch-outs in the seventh.

The loss is Grace Christian’s first to an in-state scholastic baseball program. The Crusaders recently lost a game to Eastern Carolina Baseball Academy from Goldsboro. Roupe threw a complete game with 11 strikeouts and only four hits allowed.

Now 13-4 overall, their journey through the Wilmington Classic will wrap up on Tuesday with a doubleheader at Ashley against First Colonial (VA) and Uwharrie Charter.

Ashley improves to 16-2 following the victory. The Screaming Eagles host West Johnston on Tuesday night and Grimsley on Wednesday evening.

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