Ledford and No. 9 T.C. Roberson secure semi-final wins at Cougar Diamond Classic
One of the state’s most star-studded spring break tournament fields saw Ledford and T.C. Roberson both came from behind to escape the winners bracket.
Weather permitting, the Panthers and Rams will square off in Wednesday’s Cougar Diamond Classic title game at South Brunswick.
Ledford 4, Davie County 3
The Panthers held off the War Eagles behind a complete game effort from right hander Libardo Santos, and a three-run fifth inning.
Davie broke the ice instantly. Coy James doubled to start the game, and scored the game’s first two following consecutive sacrifices.
Ledford found a quick answer in its half of the first when Angel Pichardo rocked an RBI single to plate Wilmer Martinez.
Hunter Potts’ two out double in the top of the third gave the War Eagles their final lead of the day at 2-1.
A walk and a hit batsman set the stage for Martinez to grab the lead back with a two-run double.
Kelvyn Paulino Jr. kept the line moving with an RBI single moments later.
Davie County got a run back in the sixth, but could not push across the tying run against Santos. In the seventh, Ayden Wall came up with a big caught stealing, and Santos left James stranded on second to end the game.
Ledford is now 11-1 overall.
No. 9 T.C. Roberson 11, South Brunswick 3
The defending 4A champs walked away from the first inning down two, but it did not phase their juggernaut offense as it pounded out 15 hits and posted three 3-run innings to win comfortably.
A fielder’s choice with the bases loaded, and a wild pitch gave South Brunswick the early 2-0 lead.
Reno Jeter sparked a three-run third with a two-run double off of the third base bag.
The Cougars pulled back even at 3-3 after Luke Dilgard punched an RBI single through the hole to score Camden Pszczultkoski.
T.C. Roberson scored the game’s final eight runs to secure the win.
J.T. Smith recorded a pair of two-run extra base hits, and Zeb Swangim joined in on the fun with a run-scoring double of his own.
The bottom of the Rams’ order continued to set the table and allow Roberson to flip the lineup over with men in scoring position.
Jake Parham and Lorenzo Lyles scored multiple runs, and Lyles was able to drive in one of his own in the fourth.
Swangim closed out the game with three scoreless innings. The win goes to Jack Ray who entered in relief of freshman Holt Gaston.
The Rams are now 10-2 overall.
Photos:
Source: highschoolot.com