Green Hope baseball takes advantage of Fuquay-Varina miscues
Green Hope’s baseball team didn’t have to swing the bat to get on base or score runs in its 4-1 victory over Southwest Wake Athletic Conference visitor Fuquay-Varina Tuesday.
The Bengals (3-1, 2-1) held Green Hope (3-1, 3-0) to just two hits. But the Falcons were walked 11 times, hit-by-pitch twice and scored three times on passed balls and wild pitches.
The only RBI from a Green Hope player was a double by sophomore Connor Knapp in the bottom of the third inning. Knapp, the No. 9 hitter, had both of the Falcons’ hits.
“We left runners on some, but we took advantage when they got a little wild on the mound,” Green Hope coach Mike Miragliuolo said.
Fuquay-Varina used four different pitchers in a battle against the team that it shared last year’s conference title with.
“Quite honestly, it’s all on our pitching. It was very poor,” Fuquay-Varina coach Milton Senter said. “They scored three of the runs without having to put the ball in play, and those runs were put out there either by being hit or being walked.”
Turning point
Fuquay-Varina had the bases loaded in the top of the fourth inning with leadoff batter Brycen Braswell at the plate. The UNC Wilmington recruit’s liner to center field looked like it might drop, but Trevor Losito made a diving stab.
“We had two that would’ve scored on that one with two outs,” Senter said.
Three to know
Chris Joyner, Green Hope: The Falcons’ starter struck out six batters in 3 2/3 innings to pick up the win.
Mitch Spence, Green Hope: In relief, he struck out seven of the 14 batters he faced and did not allow a run.
“Throw strikes and get outs,” Spence said. “You’ve got to trust your defense.”
Austin Harris, Fuquay-Varina: Had a solo home run in the top of the fourth for the Bengals’ only run.
By the numbers
4: All four of Green Hope’s runs were scored by players who reached base on walks or hit-by-pitches.
6: Braswell, the fourth Fuquay pitcher on the night, retired all six batters he faced. He struck out the side in the seventh.
J. Mike Blake: 919-460-2606, @JMBpreps
This story was originally published March 8, 2016 at 10:59 PM with the headline "Green Hope baseball takes advantage of Fuquay-Varina miscues."