NC: Big Inning Propels Fuquay to East Finals

Topsail HS  2 Fuquay Varina HS  12

PBR was at Fuquay-Varina HS on Friday for a NCHSAA 4A 4th round game to determine one half of the East Region Finals.  Topsail was coming in off an upset of top seeded New Hanover HS, but would run into a Fuquay team that knows the path to the state championship.

The first inning saw Fuquay jump out to a quick 2-0 lead without a hit.  The Bengals would use 3 consecutive walks with a couple of stolen bases and an RBI ground out from Andrew Keller to build the early lead.  

The 2nd inning saw the Bengals flex some muscle.  Brady Nathison extended the lead with a 3-run home run to left.  Jackson Humphries followed with a single and scored on a HL Smith double.  Keller would bring home Smith with a home run of his own to right field.  Fuquay would add one more, building a 9-0 lead, on an Andrew Schneider double, scoring JJ Dobson.

HL Smith took the lead and ran with it.  Smith worked 4 innings, striking out 7, only giving up 2 hits and 2 walks.  Smith was relieved in the 5th, leading 1-0, by Carson Veasey.  Veasey would punch 5 of his 6 outs in two innings of work.  

In the bottom of the 6th, a two out error gave Dobson a chance to double again.  Schnieder then singled Dobson home, ending the game with the 10 run rule.

Fuquay-Varina advances to the East Region Finals and will play a best of 3 series with Pinecrest.  The winner of this series will face off the West Region champion, TC Roberson or Providence.

Topsail HS Stats
+ Joe Hall, 1-3.
+ Cameron Rickabaugh, 1-3.

+ Christian Davis, 1-3.

+ J Moore - Loss, 1.2IP, 5H, 6R, 6ER, 4BB, 6K

+ K lechmanick - 2.2IP, 2H, 2R, 0ER, 0BB, 3K

Fuquay Varina HS Stats
+ Brady Nathison, 2-3, 2 runs, 4 rbi. HR
+ H.L. Smith, 1-3, 2 runs, 1 rbi.

+ Andrew Keller, 2-4, 2 runs, 3 rbi., HR

+ Andrew Snider, 3-4. 2B
+ H.L. Smith - Win, 4IP, 2H, 0R, 2BB, 7K
+ Carson Veasey - 2IP, 1H, 2R, 1ER, 2BB, 5K 

SCOUT BLOG

Andrew Keller, Catcher, Fuquay Varina HS, 2024
Campbell commit.  Strength and quickness in a lean frame that has projection left as he continues to mature.  Left handed hitter.  Continued