“We didn’t come to play,” Mustang coach Bobby Collins said following the game. “They rubbed our faces in it. That’s what happens when you don’t come to play.”
It was the first Yadkin Valley Conference loss of the season for the Mustangs, who had started out 3-0 before dropping the contest played at Bear Creek.
Chatham Central used the traditional baseball skills of good pitching and good hitting to get its first conference win of the season
“We played well today,” Chatham Central coach Bill Slaughter said. “Ryan (Lambert) pitched very well for us, and we hit the ball well.”
Chatham Central (3-2 overall, 1-2 conference) got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the second inning, as D.J. Allen singled to center field, and Cole Hudson followed with a single to left field.
Both runners advanced, as Ryan Binkley grounded out to second, and then two runs scored on a single to left field by Lambert. The ball got by the fielder and went all the way to the fence. The Bears led at the end of two innings by a score of 2-0.
North Moore (3-3, 3-1) scored one run in the top of the third inning, as Jacob Monroe drew a base on balls, and Clay Hutchins was safe on an error. Monroe moved to third, as Hutchins was forced out at second and T. J. Martin was safe on a fielder’s choice.
Then Monroe scored from third, as Houston Brady was safe on an error.
However, in the bottom of the third, Chatham Central added six more runs on three hits, four bases on balls and one hit batsman. Brady relieved Martin on the mound for the Mustangs in the bottom of the third inning. The score after three complete innings was Chatham Central 8, North Moore 1.
North Moore picked up its second run in the top of the fourth inning, as Mark Phillips walked and Kevin Purvis walked. Spencer Collins singled to load the bases, and a run scored from third after the catch, as Monroe flied out to right field.
In the bottom of the fourth, Chatham Central added eight more runs to its total, as first Monroe relieved Brady, and then Hutchins relieved Monroe on the mound for the Mustangs, trying to stem the tide.
Jon Strider led off with a double to right-center field, and advanced to third on a wild pitch. At that point Monroe took over on the mound for the Mustangs. Allen hit Monroe’s first pitch over the left-center field fence for a two-run home run.
After Allen’s homer, the Bears combined three singles, five walks and a passed ball to score six more runs. The score at the end of the fourth inning was Chatham Central 16, North Moore 2.
That was the final score as North Moore was unable to score in the top of the fifth inning.
Lambert went the distance for the Bears, allowing the Mustangs only three hits, striking out eight batters and walking five.
The Mustangs ended up using four pitchers with Martin starting and being credited with the loss. He allowed six hits, struck out two batters and walked none. Brady gave up one hit, but walked four batters and hit one batter with a pitch. Monroe gave up four hits, and walked one batter. Hutchins gave up no hits, but walked four batters.
North Moore was scheduled to play at Jordan-Matthews on Tuesday, and will play South Stanly at home on Friday.
