SILER CITY — Chatham Charter scored three runs in each of the last two innings here on Thursday night to rally for an improbable 6-5 victory over River Mill in 1A Central Tar Heel Conference baseball action.
Trevor Golden scored the game-winner in the bottom of the 7th to prevent the Knights from suffering its initial loss of the season while thwarting the upset bid of the Jaguars.
Chatham Charter improved to 5-0 in the league and overall with the victory while River Mill dropped to 0-5 in the CTH and to 1-7 overall.
“I think we came out a little flat and unfocused tonight,” Chatham Charter head coach Bill Slaughter said after the narrow decision. “But you have to River Mill credit, they came here ready to play and did everything but win the game.”
The Knights struggled to hit Jaguars starter Cameron Lutterlough all evening long, and coupled with four errors, found themselves staring at a 4-0 deficit after the visitors broke through with four runs in the top of the fourth.
After closing the gap to 4-3 in the sixth, Chatham Charter yielded a run in the sixth to fall behind 5-3 entering the home half of the seventh to set up the dramatic walk-off win.
Connor Murphy went 3-for-4 with two runs, a double, 2-for-3 stolen base attempts, and an RBI to pace the Knights at the plate while Cameron Kennedy was 2-for-2 with a run, an RBI, two doubles and two walks.
Carter Phillips was 1-for-3 for the Knights with a run scored while Golden was 1-for-4 with two runs and an RBI, Ryan White 1-for-4 with an RBI, and Jaron Hendrickson two walks.
On the mound, Murphy worked the opening five innings and allowed four hits, four runs (one earned) while walking one and striking out 10.
Landon Hussey notched the win in relief after hurling the final two innings and yielding one hit, one earned run, two walks and fanning one.
“You have to give our guys credit. They kept battling and found a way to win,” closed Slaugther. “They showed some mental toughness and determination. That can go a long ways in winning close games.”