NC: Hwy 70 Rivalry Goes Extras

Clayton  3 #8 Garner Magnet  4

PBR was on hand Tuesday night as Clayton visited #8 Garner Magnet in what is called the rivalry of Highway 70 as the schools are only 10 minutes apart.  UNC commit Hugh Collins toed the rubber for Clayton as it was Sophomore Connor Chicole's turn in the rotation for the Trojans.

Each team got on the scoreboard in the first inning as the contest was knotted up at 1.  The next 4 innings were strictly pitching and sensational defense as Collins and Chicole both showed good command on the mound keeping batters off balance.  NC State commit Jaxon Lucas was stellar at SS for the Trojans as he showed off his next level athletic ability with his great hands, lateral movement, and a laser of an arm making play after play.  

Clayton took control in the top of the 6th as Derek Collins and Christian Dougherty both tallied RBI's.  Garner answered back in the bottom half of the frame as Senior Nick Safrit brought in a run on an RBI triple and Henry Gardner plated another with a RBI double for the Trojans.  The two teams were both held scoreless in the 7th as Clayton got out of a bases loaded jam with one out to send the game into extras.  

The game was decided in the bottom half of the 9th inning as Senior Nick Safrit came through again, roping a line drive single to left center to score Jaxon Lucas from second on a play at the plate.

With the win, Garner moved to 12-4 overall and 7-2 in conference.  The Trojans added a non-conference win on Wednesday to push to 13-4 overall.  Clayton dropped to 9-9 overall and 4-5 in conference play.  These two clubs finish their 2 game series this week with a matchup on Thursday night at Clayton.

Clayton Stats
+ Brandon Scheck -  1-4
+ Derek Collins -  2-4 with RBI

+ Bryson Griffin -  1-4 with a walk

+ Hugh Collins -  1-4 with RBI

+ Harrison Deutsch -  1-4;
+ Macon Jones -  1-4
+ Hugh Collins -  6IP, 6H, 3R, 3ER, 4BB, 4K
+ Christian Dougherty - 1IP, 1H, 0R, 0BB, 1K
+ Daniel Morgan - Loss, 1.1IP, 4H, 1R, 1ER, 2BB, 3K

Garner Magnet Stats
+ Jaxon Lucas -  3-5 with 2 runs scored
+ Nick Safrit -  3-4 with 3B, 3 RBI's, a walk and run scored

+ Henry Gardner - 2-4 with 2B, RBI

+ Jacob Mitchell  - 1-4 with a walk

+ Ivan Sierra - 2-5
+ Connor Chicole - 5IP, 3H, 1R, 1ER, 1BB, 4K
+ Henry Good - Win, 4IP, 4H, 2R, 0ER, 0BB, 5K

SCOUT BLOG

Hugh Collins, LHP, Clayton HS, 2023
UNC commit.  Athletic frame with broad shoulders at 6-foot-1, 185 pounds. 

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