Wilson, Chargers impress in district debut

Mar 16, 2013 (The Wilson Daily Times - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- This, the inaugural N.C. Christian School Association 2-A District 3 season, is when veteran head coach Tyrus Bissett expects his Wilson Christian Academy varsity baseball team to roll to a championship.

His Chargers demonstrated that potential with a 12-0 triumph against visiting Raleigh Christian Academy in the opening game of a doubleheader Friday evening and the district debut for both teams.

To reschedule an earlier scheduled game postponed because of inclement weather, the teams played a pair of five-inning games.

"This is the best team I've had since I've been here (12 seasons)," asserted Bissett. "We had two starters out today." The ability of starting senior right-handed pitcher Daniel "Pretty Face" Wilson to get out of a bases-loaded jam in the top of the second inning seemed to ignite the Wilson Christian offense. Aided by the Eagles' tremendous generosity, the Chargers erupted for nine runs in the bottom of the second.

Wilson Christian blended singles by sophomore Tyrus Bissett, junior Ben Taylor and junior Andrew Van Dorp, three walks and eight Raleigh Christian errors into the uprising. The Chargers' other three runs came in the third -- when junior Christian Stupieski lofted a two-run double -- a towering fly ball that kept drifting away from the Eagles right fielder.

Attempting to catch fly balls proved an adventure for Raleigh Christian outfielders. Taylor was the only player for either team to collect two hits.

After escaping the jam, Wilson retired Raleigh Christian in order in each of the last three innings. He spaced four hits and one walk while striking out 10 in notching his first win without a loss.

The Eagles loaded the bases on three singles with out out in the top of the second. However, the Chargers emerged unscathed as Wilson registered a strikeout and got the third out on an infield pop.

"It felt really good," Wilson said of working out of trouble. "I was beginning to get confident in the guys and they were giving me encourging words. I got the job done." When he toed the slab in the top of the third inning, Wilson was the beneficiary of a 9-0 cushion.

"It was pretty fun," he noted with a grin. "You don't take it for granted, but you've got more to work with. I just wanted to throw strikes. I was in a groove and had confidence I could get the job done." Wilson, who is joined by second baseman Jonathan Abrams and shortstop Chris Graham as the only seniors, describes his final Wilson Christian team as one of much promise.

GAME 2 The five-inning game was played on Wilson Christian's diamond, but Raleigh Christian was designated the home team. The Chargers improved to 2-0 in the district and 3-2 overall with the 18-2 romp. Raleigh Christian dipped to 0-2 and 1-3 respectively.

The Chargers benefited from the Eagles' porous defense in the opener, but in the second game, Wilson Christian banged out 21 hits. After being quickly retired in each of the first two innings, the Chargers exploded for five runs in the third, seven in the fourth and six in the fifth.

Graham batted 4 for 5 with a double and drove in two runs. Sophomore Tyrus Bissett doubled and singled and collected three RBI. Stupieski, Taylor and Brad Batten each drilled two hits and drove in a run.

On the mound, Andrew Van Dorp, a junior left-hander, worked 41/3 innings and picked up his first win without a loss. Van Dorp allowed one earned run, four hits and five walks while striking out six. Abrams, a senior right-hander, recorded the last two outs via strikeouts.

Wilson Christian welcomes Wilmington Christian for a key district clash at 6 p.m. Monday.

Game 1 Score by innings: Raleigh Christian 000 00 -- 0 Wilson Christian 093 0x -- 12 WP-Daniel Wilson (1-0) 5 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 10 SO. LP-Chad Rowland.

LEADING HITTERS -- Raleigh Christian: Ken Young 1-2 RBI, Lee Todd 1-2, Pyung Song 1-2, Jackson Keene 1-3; Wilson Christian: Ben Taylor 2-3, Colton Schiefer 1-1, Christian Stupieski 1-1 2B, Andrew Van Dorp 1-2, Chris Graham 1-2, Tyrus Bissett 1-2..

Game 2 Score by innings: Wilson Christian 005 76 -- 18 Raleigh Christian 001 01 -- 2 WP-Andrew Van Dorp (1-0) 41/3 4H 2R 1ER 5BB SO. LP-Jacob Keene.

LEADING HITTERS -- Wilson Christian: Chris Graham 4-5 2B 2RBI, Tyrus Bissett 2-3 2B 3RBI, Christian Stupieski 2-3 RBI, Ben Taylor 2-3 RBI, Brad Batten 2-4 2RBI; Raleigh Christian: Glenn Wood 1-1, Pyung Song 1-1, Jacob Keene 1-2, Travis Adams 1-2.

___ (c)2013 The Wilson Daily Times (Wilson, N.C.) Visit The Wilson Daily Times (Wilson, N.C.) at www.wilsontimes.com Distributed by MCT Information Services

[ Back To Technology News's Homepage ]