Mustangs, Patriots win season openers
Thursday evening 1A State Runner-Ups North Moore Mustangs hit the diamond for their season opener. Finally, the much anticipated game that had been rescheduled several times due to weather this week was going to happen. It felt more like football weather with a chilly breeze.
Northwood may be new to the Mid-Carolina Conference, but there was one familiar face getting off the bus from Pittsboro. Te Charger’s head coach Kyle Robinson is former assistant to Mustang head coach Billy Kennedy.
For preseason interview with coach Kennedy click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1M94RYKW6iU&t=119s
The Chargers scored the first run in the top of the second. After Josh Johnston got on with a single, he later scored on a wild pitch. It wouldn’t take long for the Mustangs to answer back. Though the bats never got hot for the Mustangs, only three players recorded hits as a team. They went 4 for 24, but they still found a way to get on base. The first two batters in the bottom of the second Dalton Massey and Isaac Parsons go ahead to first after being hit by the pitcher and Nate Dyer received a walk. Massey scored on a pass pitch and Parsons scored on a RBI by Matthew Walter.
The Chargers only scored the one run while the Mustangs found their groove scoring two in the third and in the fourth and one in the sixth. Elliot Furr went 2 for 4, Will Kennedy 1 for 4, and Austin Patterson 1 for 3. Patterson and Walter both recorded an RBI. The Mustangs had four steals on the night.
On the mound for the Mustangs was Will Kennedy, who pitched all seven innings. Opening day nerves didn't seem to play a factor in a stellar pitching performance by Kennedy, who gave up four hits, and one run while throwing nine strikeouts and only three walks.
The Mustangs had scheduled to travel to Pittsboro on Friday, but rain disrupted their plans once again. They rescheduled the game for Monday evening at 7 p.m. They will also travel to South Davidson on Tuesday for a first pitch time of 6 p.m. The Mustangs defeated South Davidson last season 8-3. South Davidson will come to Robbins on Friday of next week.
Also in action Thursday was the Pinecrest Patriots. Hosting Harnett Central, the Patriots got their first win of the season 9-0. On the offense the Patriots batted 4 for 22, had three RBIs, struck out seven times but received 12 walks. The Patriots had three pitchers on the mound: Bohdi Robertosn had 4 strikeouts. Mason Konen had one hit against him, four walks, but recorded two strikeouts. JC Woolard had one hit against him, one walk, and recorded two strikeouts.
The Patriots will be back in action Tuesday at home against Terry Sanford, the first pitch will be at 7 p.m.
Article photo credit to friend of MooreDailySports Lynn Pennington. Featured photo Curtis Self
For more on North Moore athletics, follow this link: North Moore Mustangs — MooreDailySports.com
For more on Pinecrest athletics, follow this link: Blog 2 — MooreDailySports.com
Written by Curtis Self, contact: mooredailysports@gmail.com
Southern Pines Youth Rugby sponsors this article.
