CHAPEL HILL — Northwood pounded Chapel Hill 13-5 on Tuesday afternoon in Orange County to capture a key 3A Big Eight Conference clash in area high school baseball action.
The Chargers struck for a run in the third to take the lead for good behind a single to right by Brandon Crabtree, walks to Tyler Johnson and Dylan Hitt, and a sacrifice fly to center by Michael Posse to give the locals a 1-0 advantage.
In the fourth, Northwood erupted for six runs to race in front 7-0. All six runs came with two outs and the uprising was started when Chapel Hill hurler Porter Lonegan plunked Quin Powell with a pitch.
From there, the onslaught was on as Crabtree walked, Johnson was intentionally walked, and Hitt smacked a two-run double to left to send the Chargers up 3-0. Moments later Posse walked, Deuce Powell belted a two-run single to left, Beau Weathers was hit by a pitch, and a Tiger error allowed Posse and Powell to score.
Trailing 7-0, Chapel Hill showed some grit and responded with four runs in the home half of the fourth highlighted by a single by T. J. Zimmerman and a bases clearing triple to center by Jackson Snider.
Northwood kept the pressure on, however, and sent across three more runs in the fifth to push the lead back to 10-4. A bunt single by Crabtree coupled with a Chapel Hill error led to the runs, all unearned.
After a Solomon Donaldson triple in the bottom of the frame led to a run for the Tigers to trim the deficit to 10-5, the Chargers added three insurance runs in the top of the seventh to make the final 13-5. Johnson had a double to lead things off before Hitt added a single, and Justin Szczypinski an RBI-single in the uprising.
Brandon Powell led the Northwood offensive attack with a 2-for-3 day that included three runs scored and a walk while Deuce Powell chipped in a 2-for-4 outing with two runs, three RBI and a walk.
Also for the Chargers, Hitt was 2-for-4 with two runs, three RBI, a double and a walk while Tyler Johnson was 1-for-3 with three runs, and RBI, a double and two walks, Quinn Powell 1-for-4 with two runs, and Sczcypinski 1-for-5. Hitt, Weathers and Tyler Johnson each stole a base.
Picking up the win on the mound for the Chargers was Tyler Johnson who went three innings and allowed two hits and a walk.
Hitt also worked two innings and yielded three hits, five runs, and one walk while Sczcypinski went two innings and allowed one hit, one walk and struck out one.
Chapel Hill was led at the plate by Snider who was 1-for-3 with a run, a triple and three RBI.
Lonegan took the loss after going 3.2 innings 81 and allowing 3 hits, 5 runs, and striking out 4.
Matt White worked 3.1 innings in relief and allowed 6 hits, 8 runs (4 earned), 2 walks and fanned 1.