For the third consecutive season the NRCA Middle School Knights have won the Triangle Middle School Conference championship with a 10-3 besting of Cary Academy. Earlier in the season CA had beaten the Knights soundly, but three starters were missing for NRCA. In the rematch, the Knights came out swinging, took a 4-0 lead in the first, and never looked back.
Seventh graders Dean Pulley and Alan Clarke kept the Chargers off balance on the mound.
The Knights barely made it to the championship game. In the semi-final contest against Kestrel Heights the Knights trailed 6-4 heading into the bottom of the seventh inning. The Titans’ closer had shut down NRCA 1-2-3 in the sixth. With the top of the lineup coming to the plate for the Knights, there remained a chance, however slim, of a come-from-behind victory.
Lachlan McKinion led off the inning by squaring up a two-strike fastball for a single to left center. McKinion advanced to second on a ground out to the third baseman by Russ Smith, and moved to third on a passed ball. After a popout, McKinion scored on another passed ball to bring the Knights within striking distance.
With two outs and the bases empty, Aaron Eddins struck out swinging, but the pitch went to the screen, putting the tying runner on first. Trevor Edge walked, moving pinch runner Blake Johnson to second. Yet another passed ball put the tying run 90 feet from home. With two strikes, six-hole hitter Sean Carlin hit a slow roller to third base that the defender misplayed, scoring both the tying and winning runs.
The momentum from that victory carried over into the final game with the Knights confident they could get the win.
Congratulations to all of the Middle School baseball team for the victory, and especially to Trevor Edge, Jeff Gemmell, Lachlan McKinion, and Russ Smith, who are now three-time TMSC Champions!
Also, congratulations to Middle School baseball award winners:
Sean Carlin: First Year Player Award
Trevor Edge: Coach’s Choice Award
Jeff Gemmell: 100% Award
Lachlan McKinion: Clutch Performer Award
Russ Smith: Defensive Player of the Year
With five excellent returning players, the Knights will begin their pursuit of a fourth championship this summer when off-season workouts begin.
